Rainer W. G. Gruessner, MD

Chairman, Department of Surgery
Chief, Division of Abdominal Transplant
Director, HepatoPancreaticoBiliary Center
Professor of Surgery and Immunology

 

E-Mail Address: 
rgruessner@surgery.arizona.edu
Phone Number: 
Patient Appointments (520) 694-1000; (520) 626-4409
Fax: 
(520) 626-9118
Short Bio: 

Dr. Rainer Gruessner, an internationally noted general surgeon and transplant surgeon as well as department chairman, also directs the HepatoPancreaticoBiliary Center and the Division of Abdominal Transplantation. Before coming to the The University of Arizona in July 2007, he was professor of general and transplant surgery and vice chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota. Previously, he served as professor and head of the Department of General and Transplant Surgery at the University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland.

In addition to his accomplishments in the field of transplantation, one of Dr. Gruessner's clinical interests is in the surgical treatment of patients with malignant or benign tumors of the pancreas, liver, and bile ducts. He performs complex and extended resections for patients with pancreas, liver or bile duct cancer. Selected patients with liver or bile duct cancer (irrespective of whether they underwent previous surgery) may also be candidates for a transplant. Dr. Gruessner's research interest is on detection of tumor antigens and circulatory tumor cells.

The HepatoPancreaticoBiliary Center is staffed by some of the most experienced and respected medical professionals in the nation, including surgical and medical oncologists as well as gastroenterologists, hepatologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and anesthesiologists. It is a unique resource for referring physicians and patients who require comprehensive, state-of-the-art care.

Dr. Gruessner has written two textbooks, more than 70 book chapters, and more than 500 published articles. A member of more than 15 national and international societies, he serves on numerous societal and professional committees.

See also the Comprehensive Center for Chronic Pancreatitis; HepatoPancreaticoBiliary Center

 

 

Clinical Information
Specialty: 
Surgeon
Clinical Focus: 
Clinical Specialties: 

General surgery, including surgery for chronic pancreatitis
Surgical oncology, including liver, bile duct and pancreatic tumors
Abdominal transplants, including kidney, liver, pancreas, intestine and islet cell

Clinical Practice Sites: 
The University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus
Research Information
Research Program: 
5. Gastrointestinal Cancer
Member Status: 
Associate Member
Year of Membership Acceptance: 
2008
Institution: 
University of Arizona
College: 
College of Medicine
Summary of Research Activity: 
  • Surgical and transplant options for patients with end-stage liver, pancreas, kidney and intestinal failure from benign and malignant diseases
  • Pancreas, islet and kidney transplantation for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its secondary complications
  • Chronic pancreatitis and islet transplants
  • Pancreas and liver cancer
  • Risk analysis and quality control of benign and malignant disorders of the pancreas, liver, and intestine
  • Tolerance induction using donor-specific cell augmentation
Selected Publications: 

Dr. Gruessner has authored and coauthored about 500 publications and published abstracts and 70 book chapters.

» View publications on PubMed

Textbooks:
Living Donor Organ Transplantation

Transplantation of the Pancreas

Professional Information
Board Certifications: 

German Association of Surgery 1990

Academic Information
Fellowship: 
1987-1989, Transplantation Surgery, University of Minnesota; Additional Training:1989-1990, Clinical Training in Vascular Surgery, Philipps-Universitat, Marburg, Germany; 1996, Clinical Training in Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
Residency: 
1983-1987 General Surgery, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universitat, Mainz, Germany
Medical School: 
MD: 1983 School of Medicine, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universitat, Mainz, Germany; Doctoral Thesis (summa cum laude), School of Medicine, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universitat, Mainz, Germany 1991; Professorial Thesis ("Habilitation") and appointment as Senior Lecturer ("Privatdozent"), Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany,