Dr. Tomislav Secan

Dr. Tomislav Secan, MD, is a specialist in general surgery with a subspecialty in traumatology, based in Zagreb. His clinical work focuses on orthotraumatology, surgical care of musculoskeletal injuries, fracture treatment, sports trauma, minimally invasive knee surgery, and joint replacement procedures involving the hip and shoulder. He works at the Department of Traumatology and Bone and Joint Surgery of the University Hospital Centre Zagreb, within the Ministry of Health Reference Center for Geriatric Traumatology.

Patients commonly seek evaluation for acute injuries, fracture-related problems, sports injuries, knee instability, meniscus injuries, shoulder trauma, hip disorders, and complications after previous fractures. Through ZagrebMed, patients can send an inquiry for an appropriate orthopedic or traumatology pathway, including orthopedic examination, diagnostic planning, surgical opinion, or further treatment coordination.

Clinical focus

Dr. Secan’s narrower clinical focus is the traumatology of the musculoskeletal system, also known as orthotraumatology. His work includes the treatment of fractures and fracture complications, including injuries of the hand, as well as sports trauma, minimally invasive knee procedures, and joint replacement treatment planning.

Fracture and trauma care

His work includes operative treatment of fractures, management of fracture complications, and care for patients with complex musculoskeletal injuries. He is part of the multidisciplinary KBC Zagreb-Rebro team for the management of polytraumatized patients, where coordinated assessment and surgical decision-making are especially important.

Sports injuries and knee arthroscopy

In sports trauma and knee injuries, Dr. Secan’s clinical focus includes ligament injuries, meniscus injuries, knee instability, and minimally invasive procedures such as knee arthroscopy and meniscus repair. Patients with knee pain, swelling, locking, reduced mobility, or instability may also be guided toward pathways related to arthroscopic knee surgery when surgical evaluation is appropriate.

Hip, shoulder, hand, and wrist focus

His clinical scope also includes shoulder trauma, hip trauma, hand injuries, and wrist surgery. Depending on the diagnosis, previous treatment, functional limitation, and imaging findings, treatment planning may include conservative care, fracture fixation, arthroscopic procedures, or joint replacement discussion. This includes cases where shoulder prosthesis or total hip endoprosthesis may be part of the treatment pathway.

Procedures and treatment planning

Clinical evaluation and diagnostic planning

Treatment planning usually begins with a clinical examination, review of previous medical documentation, and assessment of imaging findings. When additional diagnostics are needed, MRI of the musculoskeletal system or MSK ultrasound examination may help define the injured structure, severity, and most appropriate next step.

Operative and non-operative decision-making

His approach is based on matching the treatment plan to the injury type, patient age, activity level, joint function, fracture pattern, and realistic recovery goals. Some patients need surgical stabilization or arthroscopic treatment, while others may first require structured rehabilitation, monitoring, or additional diagnostics before a final decision is made.

Education and professional background

Medical education and specialization

Dr. Secan graduated from the University of Zagreb School of Medicine in 2009 and received the Dean’s Award as the best sixth-year student, with a final-year grade average of 5.00. He completed his internship at the Zagreb Institute of Emergency Medicine and passed the professional examination before the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia.

He completed his specialization in general surgery at the Department of Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, and became a specialist in general surgery in 2015. In 2019, he completed the subspecialist examination in traumatology.

International training and teaching work

His additional professional training includes orthotrauma seminars in Glasgow and Salzburg, cadaveric arthroscopy courses in Ljubljana, Munich, and Zagreb, and clinical training in Hamburg, Graz, Geneva, Ljubljana, and Vienna. Since 2022, he has been a lecturer and instructor at the international AOTrauma osteosynthesis course, Basic and Advanced Principles of Fracture Management.

Through ZagrebMed, patients can send an inquiry for evaluation, review of medical documentation, or guidance toward the most appropriate orthopedic and traumatology service.