Prof. Dr. Manuel Besendörfer
Head of Pediatric Surgery

Prof. Dr. Manuel Besendörfer
Head of Pediatric Surgery
Our research approach focuses on personalized digital patient models to develop effective and safe neurostimulation strategies for pediatric patients. Continuous neuronal electrical stimulation of the sacral nerve roots influences gastrointestinal motility and opens up an additional approach in the treatment of patients with Hirschsprung’s disease, congenital anorectal malformations and complex congenital neuronal disorders. The projects include clinical, neuro-imaging and cellular studies within the FAU based on the network to Medtronic.
Research projects
- Medical implants (such as bio-patches for abdominal closure in newborns)
- Sacral neuromodulation in children, focusing on neuronal responses to continuous electrical stimulation
No projects found.
2026
- Reindl, N., Seitz, S., Schleier, M., Besendörfer, M., & Diez, S. (2026). Long-term follow-up of scar quality and satisfaction after surgical closure of congenital abdominal wall defects: a single center perspective. Pediatric Surgery International, 42(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-025-06287-1
2025
- Kugler, A., Rompel, O., Besendörfer, M., & Diez, S. (2025). Pseudoaneurysm in the abdominal wall as a rare complication following surgery of a chronically superinfected urachal malformation — An exceptional case in congenital malformation surgery. International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2025.110979
- Pfennigs, A.M., Besendörfer, M., Diez, S., & Reingruber, B. (2025). Indocyanine green fluorescence in second-look surgery for necrotizing enterocolitis: enhancing the surgeon's perception. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2025.1641794
2024
- Bartos, H.B., Diez, S., König, A., Görlach, J., Besendörfer, M., Mahnken, A.H.,... Müller, H. (2024). Differences in neonatal gastric tubes during insertion into a 3D model in relation to risk of potential perforation. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 78(3), 601-607. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.12137
- Besendörfer, M., Günster, S., Linz, K., Reutter, H.M., & Diez, S. (2024). Centralization as the key survival benefit in acute neonatal surgery. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2024.1382000
- Besendörfer, M., Kirchgatter, A., Carbon, R., Weiss, C., Müller, H., Matzel, K., & Diez, S. (2024). Sacral neuromodulation for constipation and fecal incontinence in children and adolescents – study protocol of a prospective, randomized trial on the application of invasive vs. non-invasive technique. Trials, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-024-08052-6
- Besendörfer, M., Knorr, C., Kirchgatter, A., Müller, H., Reis Wolfertstetter, P., Matzel, K., & Diez, S. (2024). Sacral neuromodulation in children and adolescents with defecation disorders. Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 36(6). https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.14808
- Schlieben, L.D., Carta, M.G., Moskalev, E., Stöhr, R., Metzler, M., Besendörfer, M.,... Ferrazzi, F. (2024). Machine Learning-Supported Diagnosis of Small Blue Round Cell Sarcomas Using Targeted RNA Sequencing. Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, 26(5), 387-398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmoldx.2024.02.002
2023
- Besendörfer, M., Langer, L., Carbon, R., Weiss, C., Müller, H., & Diez, S. (2023). Treatment of pediatric fistula-in-ano—Sphincter-sparing non-cutting seton placement as the future treatment of choice? Frontiers in Surgery, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2023.1144425
- Diez, S., Bartos, H., Siemes, A., Gerleve, H., Schock, A., Besendörfer, M.,... Müller, H. (2023). The Subdiaphragmatic Angle Of The Gastric Tube In Neonates – A Potential Predictor For Perforations? Klinische Pädiatrie. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2187-5404
- Walther, M., Müller, H., Weiß, C., Carbon, R., Diez, S., & Besendörfer, M. (2023). A comparative observational study on intrasphincteric injections with Botulinum toxin vs. enteral neuromodulation in chronic refractory constipation. BMC Pediatrics, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-023-04217-5
2022
- Diez, S., Bell, L.E., Moosmann, J., Weiss, C., Müller, H., & Besendörfer, M. (2022). Prediction of High Bell Stages of Necrotizing Enterocolitis Using a Mathematic Formula for Risk Determination. Children, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/children9050604
- Diez, S., Besendörfer, M., Weyerer, V., Hartmann, A., Moosmann, J., Weiss, C.,... Müller, H. (2022). DMBT1 expression and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio during necrotizing enterocolitis are influenced by impaired perfusion due to cardiac anomalies. Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40348-021-00133-9
- Diez, S., Kirchgatter, A., Adam, D., Füldner, A., Müller, H., Matzel, K., & Besendörfer, M. (2022). Noninvasive Sacral Neuromodulation in Children and Adolescents: A Case-Control Study of Patients With Chronic Refractory Constipation. Neuromodulation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurom.2022.08.451
2021
- Diez, S., Mueller, H., Weiss, C., Schellerer, V., & Besendörfer, M. (2021). Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis in children and adolescents: Does this increasing diagnosis require a common guideline for pediatricians and pediatric surgeons? BMC Gastroenterology, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-021-01772-y
2020
- Ai, M., Schellerer, V., & Besendörfer, M. (2020). Short and Long Term Outcome for Patients with Surgical Removal of Sacrococcygeal Teratoma in Newborns and Infancy. In ONCOLOGY RESEARCH AND TREATMENT (pp. 138-138). BASEL: KARGER.
- Besendörfer, M., Kohl, M., Schellerer, V., Carbon, R., & Diez, S. (2020). A Pilot Study of Non-invasive Sacral Nerve Stimulation in Treatment of Constipation in Childhood and Adolescence. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2020.00169
- Besendörfer, M., Müller, H., Weiss, C., Wagner, A., Schellerer, V., Hörning, A., & Diez, S. (2020). Association of clinical factors with postoperative complications of esophageal atresia. Pediatrics and Neonatology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedneo.2020.09.001
- Diez, S., Syed, J., Müller, H., Besendörfer, M., & Schellerer, V. (2020). Pediatric Cullen gangrene: Case report of postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum in a preterm infant with a complex gastrointestinal malformation. International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 66, 381-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.12.037
- Diez, S., Tielesch, L., Weiss, C., Halbfass, J., Mueller, H., & Besendörfer, M. (2020). Clinical Characteristics of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Patients With and Without Persistent Ductus Arteriosus and in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2020.00257
- Seitz, S., Rückel, A., Siebenlist, G., Besendörfer, M., & Schellerer, V. (2020). Case report: Tension pneumoperitoneum after diagnostic colonoscopy in an 11 y/o boy with Crohns disease. International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 75, 413-417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2020.09.135