Dr. Jan Vranken

Patients with pain should be treated as quickly as possible. Personal attention for the patient together with specialized care leads to the best, tailor-made treatment. Acibadem IMC offers these options. “Pain in all its aspects is present in every phase of life. Pain is first and foremost a signal of threat, of damage. If pain becomes chronic, the pain is damaging to the body. Always experiencing pain leads to a reduction in ‘being able to do’ and ‘wanting to do’. Always having pain can lead to a different, limited way of life. As a pain specialist I treat chronic pain syndromes.

I have studied medicine (doctor of medicine, surgery and obstetrics) and specialization as a medical specialist in anesthesia and resuscitation at the University hospitals St.-Rafael and Gasthuisberg, Leuven in Belgium. I obtained my PhD on the topic “treatment of neuropathic pain” at the University of Amsterdam. After my promotion to a doctorate in medical sciences, I then continued as coordinator of the pain center and as anesthesiology/pain medicine trainer.

Specialization / areas of interest

• Neuropathic pain (nerve pain occurring after surgery, after chemotherapy, etc.);
• Neck and back pain;
• Joint pains;
• Abdominal wall pain: ACNES, status after surgery (inguinal hernia, chest etc.);
• Pain in the elderly (participation in the national guideline for pain in the elderly);
• Facial and headache (migraine).

Languages

Dutch, French, German and English

Specialist since

1999

Work experience

• 2020 – present  Anesthesiologist and Pain Specialist, ACIBADEM IMC
• 2012 – 2019  Coordinator of pain clinic and trainer of pain medicine, MC Slotervaart, Amsterdam
• 2014 – 2018  Coordinator of pain clinic and trainer of pain medicine, Nij Smellinghe hospital in Drachten. Consultations in the Antonius Hospital, Sneek
• 2013 – 2015  Pain specialist Medical Center Jan van Goyen, Amsterdam
• 2009 – 2014  Pain center coordinator and pain medicine trainer, acting anesthesiology trainer, Alkmaar Medical Center. Consultations in the Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk
• 2000 – 2009  Head of Clinic Pain Center, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam
• 1999 – 2000  Anaesthesiologist and pain specialist, AZ St.-Lucas, Ghent
• 1998 – 2000  Fellow and staff member anesthesiology and pain, Vu Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam

Education

• 2002-2007 Doctor of medical sciences, University of Amsterdam. Thesis: The good, the bad, and the ugly: treatment of neuropathic pain.
• 1993-1998 Master after Master: training as a medical specialist in anesthesia resuscitation University hospitals St.-Rafael and Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium)
• 1986-1993 Master of Medicine: doctor of medicine, surgery and obstetrics at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium). Graduated cum laude
• 1980-1986 College of the Holy Cross, Maaseik (Belgium)

Memberships 

• NVA: Dutch Association for Anesthesiology
• Member of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)

Publications

• National and international scientific publications (> 60) in particular on nerve pain and urogenital pain;
• National guideline participation: pain in the elderly;
• Participation in European directive: urogenital pain;
• National and international lectures on neuropathic pain and pain in the elderly.

1. Vranken JH. ‘Current approaches to the management of peripheral neuropathic pain. J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2015 Sep;29(3):307-310
2. Vranken JH. Spinal cord injury. In: Neuropathic Pain: Causes, Management and Understanding. Edited by Drs. C. Toth and D. Moulin. Cambridge University Press. 2014
3. A Ver Donck, JH Vranken, M Puylaert, S Hayek, N Mekhail, J Van Zundert.  Intrathecal drug administration in chronic pain syndromes. Pain Practise 2013 Oct 4. doi: 10.1111/papr. 12111
4. JH Vranken. Pain in urogenital disorders. In: Anesthesia for Urologic Surgery” and the Editors are Daniel M. Gainsburg M.D., M.S., Ethan O. Bryson M.D., and Elizabeth A.M. Frost, M.D. Publisher: Springer of New York, USA. 2013
5. JH Vranken. Elucidation of pathophysiology and treatment of neuropathic pain. Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry. 2012;12(4):304-14.
6. Bader P, Echtle D, Fonteyne V, Livadas K, De Meerleer G, Paez Borda A, Papaioannou EG, Vranken JH. Prostate cancer pain management: EAU guidelines on pain management. World J Urol 2012;9.
7. JH Vranken, MW Hollmann, MH van der Vegt, MR Kruis, M Heesen, K Vos, J. Pijl, MGW Dijkgraaf.  Duloxetine in patients with central neuropathic pain caused by spinal cord injury or stroke: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.  Pain 2011;152:267-273.
8. Pain management in urological cancers. In: Bader P, Echtle D, Fonteyne V, Livadas K, De Meerleer G, Paez Borda A, Papaioannou EG, Vranken JH. Guidelines on pain management. Arnhem, The Netherlands: European Association of Urology (EAU); 2010 Apr. p. 43-60
9. Post-operative pain management. In: Bader P, Echtle D, Fonteyne V, Livadas K, De Meerleer G, Paez Borda A, Papaioannou EG, Vranken JH. Guidelines on pain management. Arnhem The Netherlands: European Association of Urology (EAU); 2010 Apr. p. 61-82.
10. Non-traumatic acute flank pain. In: Bader P, Echtle D, Fonteyne V, Livadas K, De Meerleer G, Paez Borda A, Papaioannou EG, Vranken JH. Guidelines on pain management. Arnhem, The Netherlands: European Association of Urology (EAU); 2010 Apr. p. 82-90
11. Cancer pain management (general). In: Bader P, Echtle D, Fonteyne V, Livadas K, De Meerleer G, Paez Borda A, Papaioannou EG, Vranken JH. Guidelines on pain management. Arnhem, The Netherlands: European Association of Urology (EAU); 2010 Apr. p. 13-42.
12. JH Vranken. Mechanisms and treatment of neuropathic pain. Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry. 2009;9:71-78.
13. A Ver Donck, JH Vranken. Intrathecale medicatietoediening bij chronische pijnsyndromen. In: Maarten van Kleef, Jaap Patijn, Frank Huygen, Jan Van Zundert (eds.) Praktische richtlijnen Anesthesiologische pijnbestrijding. NVA sectie Pijn, 2009, pp 325-334.
14. JH Vranken, MGW Dijkgraaf, MR Kruis, MH van der Vegt, MW Hollmann, M Heesen. Pregabalin in patients with central neuropathic pain: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a flexible-dose regimen. Pain 2008; 136:150-157.
15. EJ van Beers, PT Nieuwkerk, CFJ van Tuijn, PW Friederich, JH Vranken, BJ Biemond. Patient controlled analgesia versus continuous infusion of morphine during vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease, a randomised controlled trial. American Journal of Hematology. 2007; 82(11):955-60.
16. JH Vranken, D Troost, P de Haan, FA Pennings, MH van der Vegt, MGW Dijkgraaf, MW Hollmann. Severe toxic damage to the rabbit spinal cord after intrathecal administration of preservative-free S(+)-ketamine. Anesthesiology 2006;105:813-818.
17. AM Sassen, N Heramides, JH Vranken. De rol van maatschappelijk werk bij de behandeling van de chronische pijnpatiënt. Maatwerk 2006;5:28-29.
18. H. van der Vegt, J.T. Wegener en J.H. Vranken. Onbewezen praktijken. De toepassing van epiduroscopie bij patiënten met het ‘failed back surgery syndrome’. Tijdschr Neurol Neurochir 2006;107:232-234.
19. JH Vranken, HJM van Kan, MH van der Vegt. Stability and compatibility of a meperidine-clonidine mixture in portable pump reservoirs for the management of cancer pain syndromes. J Pain Symptom Manage 2006;32:297-299.
20. JH Vranken, MH van der Vegt. Het plexus coeliacus blok bij patiënten met pijn veroorzaakt door een pancreastumor. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2006;150:723-8
21. C Slagt, J Vranken, C Hoedemaker, RSGM Perez, D Thone, JJ de Lange. Comparision of remifentanil-propofol and alfentanil-propofol based Total intravenous anesthesia in patients undergoing panendoscopy. Ned tijdschr Anesthesiologie 2006;19:39-43.
22. JH Vranken, MH van der Vegt. Letter to the Editor. Response to Kozek et al. Pain 2006;121:284.
23. JH Vranken, MGW Dijkgraaf, MR Kruis, NT van Dasselaar, MH van der Vegt. Iontophoretic administration of S(+)-ketamine in Patients with intractable Central Pain: a Placebo-Controlled Trial. Pain 2005;118:224-231.
24. JH Vranken, MH van der Vegt. Response to Kozek et al. Pain 2006;121:281-284.
25. JH Vranken, D Troost, JT Wegener, MR Kruis, MH van der Vegt. Neuropathological findings after continuous intrathecal administration of S(+)-ketamine for the management of neuropathic cancer pain. Pain 2005;117:231-235.
26. JH Vranken, MH van der Vegt, HJM van Kan, MR Kruis. Plasma concentrations of meperidine and normeperidine following continuous intrathecal meperidine in patients with neuropathic cancer pain. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2005;49:665-670.
27. DB Martineau, JH Vranken, S Abdi. Celiac Plexus Block for Cancer Pain Management. Journal of Cancer Pain & Symptom Palliation. 2005;1:85-93.
28. JH Vranken. Catheter techniques for intractable cancer pain. Lijecnicki Vjesnik 2005;127(SUPPL 2):81-83.
29. JH Vranken, MH van der Vegt, JE Kal, MR Kruis. Treatment of neuropathic cancer pain with continuous intrathecal administration of S (+)–Ketamine. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2004;48:249-252.
30. JH Vranken. The palliative treatment with catheter techniques of intractable cancer pain: fourth step in the World Health Organization analgesic ladder. In: Recent Research development in Anesthesia & Analgesia. Kerala: Transworld research network 2003 pp 59-71.
31. JH Vranken, FJ van Kemenade,WWA. Zuurmond, M Dzoljic. Neurohistopathological Findings after a Neurolytic Celiac Plexus Block with Alcohol in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer Pain. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2002;46:827-830.
32. JH Vranken, MH van der Vegt, LH Ubags, AJ Pijl, M Dzoljic. Continuous sacral nerve root block in the management of neuropathic cancer pain. Anesth Analg 2002;95:1724-1725
33. RSGM Perez, LD Roorda, WWA Zuurmond, II Bannink, JH Vranken, JJ de Lange. Measuring perceived activity limitations in lower extremity CRPS1: test-retest reliability of two questionnaires. Clinical Rehabilitation 2002;16:454-460.
34. PSGM Perez, PE Burm, WWA Zuurmond, MJ Giezeman, NT van Dasselaar, JH Vranken, JJ de Lange. Interrater reliability of diagnosing complex regional pain syndrome type I. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2002;46:447-450.
35. JH Vranken, MH van der Vegt. Acute pancreatitis, a protocol for diagnosis and treatment. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2002;146:533.
36. JH Vranken. Weinig meerwaarde en veel bijwerkingen van cannabis bij behandeling van pijn en misselijkheid. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2002;146:138-139.
37. JH Vranken, WWA Zuurmond, JJ de Lange. Increasing the efficacy of a Celiac Plexus Block in patients with severe pancreatic cancer pain. J Pain Symptom Manage 2001;22:966-977.
38. JH Vranken, M Dzoljic. Reply to dr Nadig. Continuous brachial plexus block at the cervical level using a posterior approach in the management of neuropathic cancer pain.. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2002;27:446.
39. JH Eshuis en JH Vranken. Anesthesie bij ingrepen in dagbehandeling. In: PJ Hennis and JA Leusink (eds.) Anesthesiologie. Houten/ Mechelen: Bohn Stafleu Van Loghum, 2002 pp 263-274.
40. JH Vranken, MH van der Vegt, WWA Zuurmond, AJ Pijl, M Dzoljic. Continuous brachial plexus block at the cervical level using a posterior approach in the management of neuropathic cancer pain. Reg Anesth Pain Medicine 2001;26:572-575.
41. JH Vranken, KCP Vissers, R de Jongh, R Heylen. Intraarticular sufentanil administration facilitates recovery after day-case knee Anesth Analg 2001;92:625-628.
42. JH Vranken. Patiënten met benigne pijn verkiezen fentanylpleisters in open onderzoek. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2001;145:2194.
43. JH Vranken, WWA Zuurmond, JJ de Lange. Continuous brachial plexus block as treatment for the Pancoast’s syndrome. Clin J Pain 2000: 16: 327-333.
44. JH Vranken, WWA Zuurmond, JJ de Lange. Het gebruik van kathetertechnieken bij de behandeling van kankerpijn. Ned Tijdschr Palliat Zorg 2001;1:89-92.
45. S Knoops, WWA Zuurmond, JH Vranken et al. Meting kwaliteit van leven bij terminale patiënten. Ned Tijdschr Palliat Zorg 2001:1:7-10.
46. JH Vranken, WWA Zuurmond, JJ de Lange. Moeilijke verwijdering van een plexus coeliacus catheter. Ned Tijdschr Pijn Pijnbestrijding, 1999;19:60-61.
47. R Jongh de, J Vranken et al. Clara Cell Protein concentration in Cerebrospinal fluid,serum and amniotic fluid. CYTOKINE.1998;10:441-444.
48. H Verhelst , J Vranken, R Jongh De et al. The use of ECMO in post-pneumonectomy pulmonary edema. Acta Chirurgica Belgica, 1998;98:269-272.
49. R Jongh de, J Vranken et al. The effects of anticoagulation and processing on assays of IL-6, SIL-6R, sIL-2R and soluble transferring receptor. CYTOKINE 1997;9:696-701.