Organerhalt

Organerhalt, or organ preservation, refers to medical and surgical strategies that treat disease while maintaining the anatomy and function of the affected organ, rather than removing or replacing it. It spans specialties such as oncology, urology, gynecology, and ophthalmology, and it contrasts with organ resection or transplantation when feasible.

Core principles include accurate staging, careful patient selection, and multimodal therapy using techniques aimed at minimizing damage. Outcomes depend on tumor biology, location, preexisting organ function, and available reconstructive options; close surveillance is essential.

Common applications are organ-sparing surgeries in cancer care, such as breast-conserving therapy (lumpectomy with radiation) instead of mastectomy, partial nephrectomy for kidney tumors, liver-sparing resections, bladder-sparing protocols, sphincter-sparing resections for rectal cancer, and nerve-sparing procedures in urology. Eye and gynecologic preservation are also pursued.

Techniques include minimal invasive methods, advanced imaging, intraoperative mapping, and ablation (cryo- or radiofrequency) plus reconstructive procedures to restore function. In some areas, organ-sparing endoscopy and conservative management, such as watchful waiting or hormonal therapy, are employed.

Benefits include preserved function, lower morbidity and maintained quality of life, but risks include residual disease, recurrence, or longer follow-up. The approach relies on multidisciplinary teams, specialized expertise, and rigorous patient selection.

Organerhalt is an evolving field, with ongoing research in imaging, biomarkers, and adjuvant therapies that influence eligibility and success rates. Ethical considerations include informed consent and equitable access to specialized care.