Four Ruse Surgeons Position University Hospital “Kaneff” Among the National Leaders in Hand Surgery
Four surgeons from the Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic at University Hospital “Kaneff” headed by Prof. Pencho Kosev, have received certification in hand surgery—a specialized field within orthopedics. These specialists are Dr. Sevdalin Angelov, Dr. Dimitar Alexandrov, Dr. Ivan Ivanov, and Dr. Stoyan Gramatikov.
At a press conference held today with the Ruse media, the goal was to inform the public and highlight that hand surgery is a highly specific and distinct specialty. In Europe and globally, it is recognized as a separate subspecialty within orthopedics. In Bulgaria, until recently, this was not the case. However, due to the efforts of Assoc. Prof. Margarita Kyuteva—Chair of the Bulgarian Society for Hand Surgery and Head of the Hand and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic at “Sofiamed” Hospital—the field has seen notable development.
Dr. Angelov explained that hand surgery requires unique skills and in-depth knowledge, which general orthopedic training does not fully cover. Only in recent years has hand surgery been officially certified as a specialized activity, requiring practitioners to obtain specific qualifications. The four surgeons from Ruse have undergone additional training to achieve these certifications and are now licensed to perform both hand surgery and microsurgery. No other clinic in Bulgaria currently has four such certified specialists, which positions the Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic at University Hospital “Kaneff” as second in the country—right after “Sofiamed.”
Dr. Angelov added that only about 30 specialists across Bulgaria are currently practicing hand surgery. Training programs and certification courses are organized under the guidance of Assoc. Prof. Kyuteva, who also involves international experts to enhance the quality of education and skills development.
Dr. Alexandrov emphasized that hand surgery is a complex field that requires a large regional medical center to be effectively practiced. He noted that Assoc. Prof. Kyuteva is working toward decentralizing access to this type of care nationwide, as surgical interventions often require urgent timing. He also added that the benefits of investing in this specialized training take time to mature, but the long-term value is undeniable.
During the press conference, visual presentations and photographs demonstrated surgical procedures such as restoring thumb sensitivity, elbow joint reconstructions, and corrections of thumb malformations.
Dr. Alexandrov shared that more than 2,500 surgeries are performed annually at the Hand Surgery Clinic in Ruse. Of these, 790 involve upper limb operations, with 230 classified as major and highly complex. Additionally, 60 surgeries per year involve peripheral nerve interventions—procedures that require exceptional precision.
Prof. Kosev highlighted the high level of expertise of the four certified surgeons, noting their mastery of the intricate knowledge and techniques required in this demanding specialty. He expressed pride in the accomplishments of his colleagues and pointed out the unique strength and teamwork within the Hand Orthopedics Clinic at University Hospital “Kaneff” which he leads.
Source: RuseInfo
