Frequently asked questions

Interventional radiology is a medical specialty that treats many conditions in a minimally invasive way, without open surgery. The physician inserts a needle or a thin catheter through the skin and guides it to the area to be treated using medical imaging (ultrasound, CT, MRI or fluoroscopy).

It can be used, for example, to embolise (block) a vessel, destroy a tumour with heat or cold, perform a biopsy, drain a collection or place a venous access device.

The procedure is performed through a small puncture of a few millimetres instead of an incision. There is usually no visible scar, less pain, fewer anaesthesia-related risks and a faster recovery. Depending on the condition, interventional radiology is an alternative to surgery or complements it.

Usually not. Most procedures are performed under local anaesthesia, sometimes with light sedation. General anaesthesia is reserved for certain longer or more delicate procedures. The type of anaesthesia is explained to you during the consultation.

Most procedures are performed as an outpatient (you go home the same day) or with a short hospital stay depending on the case. Swiss law in fact favours outpatient care for many procedures (the “outpatient before inpatient” principle).

Complications are rare but, as with any medical procedure, they exist: bleeding or bruising at the puncture site, infection, allergic reaction to the contrast agent, or complications specific to each procedure. They are described in detail on each procedure’s page and discussed with you before any decision.

Ultrasound and MRI do not use X-rays. When CT or fluoroscopy is needed, the dose is kept to the minimum required and adapted to each patient. Always mention a possible pregnancy before the procedure.

Yes. Outpatient treatment is available to everyone: whether it takes place in a university or cantonal hospital, a regional hospital, a private clinic or a private practice, compulsory health insurance (LAMal) covers it, according to the national outpatient tariff.

As with any LAMal benefit, your deductible and the 10% co-payment remain payable by you, within the limits of your policy.

Hospital stays (inpatient treatment) are where basic and supplementary insurance differ.

With basic insurance (AOS), the facility admitting you must hold a cantonal AOS service mandate for the condition concerned. This mandate depends on the condition treated and on the facility, not on the physician. When such a mandate exists, the stay is possible even in a private clinic, in the general ward.

Please ask Dr Villard directly: he will tell you where your procedure can be performed with your coverage.

With private or semi-private supplementary hospital insurance (LCA), you can in principle be treated as an inpatient in private clinics, with a free choice of physician and, depending on your policy, a single or double room. Conditions vary between policies: the cost-approval request makes it possible to check them before the procedure.

Dr Villard and his office take care of it. When the procedure requires it, they send the cost-approval request to your insurer and let you know the answer before the procedure.

With these alternative models, you usually have to see your family doctor, your HMO centre or the telemedicine service first, who then refers you to the specialist. Without this step, your insurer may reduce or refuse reimbursement. Check your policy’s conditions before booking an appointment.

Yes. Dr Villard accepts patients with foreign or international insurance as well as self-paying patients. The office will explain the arrangements to you before the procedure.

Ideally yes: a letter from your family doctor or specialist makes things easier. For some conditions, you can book an appointment directly, depending on your insurance conditions.

It is essential to send your medical records to Dr Villard before the consultation:

• your physician’s letter, if you have one;
• your imaging (images and reports: ultrasound, CT, MRI);
• relevant test results and medical reports;
• the list of your medications, especially blood thinners.

You can send them to secretariat@drvillard.ch. Physicians can use the “Refer a patient” form.

Online on the “Book an appointment” page, by phone (+41 58 255 3 144, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm) or by e-mail at secretariat@drvillard.ch.

Yes. Dr Villard can review a diagnosis or a treatment plan that has already been proposed and give you a specialist opinion. If needed, your case can be presented at a multidisciplinary meeting.

The forms and online booking are not intended for emergencies. In an emergency, call 144 or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Dr Nicolas Villard is an FMH-certified specialist in radiology (title obtained in 2018). He trained in radiology and interventional radiology in Geneva (HUG), Lyon (HCL and Centre Léon Bérard) and Lausanne (CHUV). He completed his clinical fellowship in interventional radiology at CHUV (2016-2019), then worked there as a senior physician in interventional radiology (2023-2026). He now practises in offices and clinics in Geneva and Lausanne.

He is a member of the Swiss Society for Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SSVIR) and of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE), and the author of numerous scientific publications.

• minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid treatments (thermal ablation, ethanol ablation);
• interventional oncology (tumour ablation, chemoembolisation, radioembolisation, biopsies);
• embolisation (prostate, uterine fibroids, haemorrhoids, varicocele, joints);
• treatment of vascular malformations;
• vascular and thoracic conditions.

• Consultations in Lausanne: Medbase Lausanne Gare medical centre (Place de la Gare 11a);
• Consultations and procedures in Geneva: Clinique Générale-Beaulieu (Chemin de Beau-Soleil 20);
• Procedures: Clinique de Genolier, Clinique de Montchoisi (Lausanne) and Clinique Amiia (Lausanne).

The “Consultation locations” page lists the address and phone number of each location.

In French, English and German.

Yes. He works closely with family doctors and other specialists (endocrinologists, oncologists, urologists, gynaecologists, surgeons…). When needed, cases are discussed at multidisciplinary meetings in order to propose the most appropriate treatment.