One of the special features of medical studies in Oldenburg is an early introduction of students to research. In the so-called Longitudinal Research Curriculum (LFC), students first learn the most important basics of scientific work in small groups and later in the context of a larger research project. The students should learn to deal critically with research work, to conduct their own research and to write scientifically. The aim is to research a self-selected or predefined scientific question and finally to write their own research paper. The questions range from literature research to patient surveys or sample analyses.

At the Department of Visceral Surgery, we always have current LFC topics on offer on various visceral surgery and oncology topics, as well as on topics related to the areas of "technology in the operating theatre" and "human-machine interaction". These projects are often related to one of our current research projects. Depending on the respective interest, we can offer retrospective studies, studies with patient contact, or literature research leading to meta-analyses, for example. And of course, students can also propose topics themselves.

Contact person:

Dr. Navid Tabriz:

Dr. Verena Uslar:

• Moritz Grande: Using augmented reality to educate patients with pancreatic cancer (Year 5)
• Tim Bellersen: Retrospective of anastomosis rates in oesophageal cancer (year 5)
• Verena Müller: Relationship between preoperative pancreatic insufficiency and postoperative complication rates in PDCA (year 5)

• Fynn Piastowski: Influence of 3D visualisation at the cholecystectomy (Year 2/3)
• Kira Lupp: Influence of 3D visualisation in TEP (Year 2/3)
• Rebekka Adam: Long-term-LQ after thyroid resection (Year 2/3)
• Anna Vincke: Comparison of two QL-questionnaires after thyroid resection (Year 2/3)
• Benedikt Hols: Retrospective comparison of complications after open and laparoscopic rectal surgery (Year 5)
• Christopher Strotmann: Use of augmented reality devices in clinical-anatomical teaching of the pancreas (Year 5)
• Alexandra Eberlei: Systematic review of outcomes after open vs. laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer (Year 5)
• Nina Gertjegerdes: Systematic review of survey instruments for workplace stress in surgical staff (Year 5)
• Selma Mühlbeyer: Risk analysis for recurrent paresis after thyroid surgery (Year 5)
• Caroline Becker: Systematic review of quality of life questionnaires in thyroid disorders (Year 5)
• Fynn Piastowski: Foreign- and self-assessment of assistant doctors & -doctors at laproendoscopic procedures (Year 5)
• Astrid Schantzen: Validation of a thyroid-specific QOL-Questionnaire (Year 5)
• Tina Triebel: Long-term-LQ after hemicolectomy (Year 5)
• Arved Gruben: Risk factors for Endocrine Orbitopathy (Year 5); Published as: Tabriz N, Gruben A, Uslar V, Weyhe D. Risk factors for Graves' orbitopathy in surgical patients-Results of a 10-year retrospective study with review of the literature. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2020 Dec 4;4(1):e00210.
• Barbara Filser: Predictors of adenoma size and location in primary hyperparathyroidism (Year 5); In publication at Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery.

We offer the opportunity for medical doctoral theses with us on request. Supervision is provided by both our medical and scientific staff. In addition, there is regular exchange between the doctoral students, for example in the form of our doctoral colloquia.

The next colloquium is planned for autumn this year. Medical students are also welcome to attend in order to gain a better insight into our research activities. If you are interested, please feel free to contact

Current PhD students:

• Amelie Damann: Neuronal correlates of expert cognition during laparoscopic simulation - an EEG study.
• Sebastian Flerus: Quality of life after rectal cancer surgery
• Dennis Fried: Preoperative magnesium and calcium supplementation in thyroid patients - RCT
• Pavel Gladki: Impact of the Corona pandemic on visceral surgery care reality - a bicentre study
• Dmitry Khmara: TEP after recurrence of initial TAP or TAPP for inguinal hernias
• Franz Letens: Prospective recording of postoperative delirium in the interdisciplinary intensive care unit of a university hospital
• Haitham Mansour: Longitudinal measurement of corona antibodies in hospital staff
• Heike Nerenz: Influence of 3D optics in laparoscopic surgery
• Fynn Piastowski: Quality of life of patients of working age after surgical treatment of inguinal hernia
• Nicolas Pietryga: Influence of the preventive use of the EsoSponge system on the frequency of anastomotic insufficiencies
• Joshua Preibisch: Usefulness of VR technology in clinical teaching as well as in imaging diagnostics as an addition method
• Jörg Seibold: Elastase in stool as a prognostic parameter in pancreatic cancer
• Lilo Stroink: Longitudinal measurement of vitamin D levels in hospital staff

Interested students from other departments can also write their theses with us. These are integrated into our current research projects.

Here is an overview of the current master's theses in our field:

• Merle Schlender: Establishment of a measurement methodology for skin conductivity measurement in surgical personnel (Master PTM).
• Tim Schneider: Measurement of workplace stress using mobile EEG during conventional MRI reporting compared to reporting in VR or AR (Master PTM)