Michael Frass

Michael Frass
Born1954 (age 71–72)
Vienna, Austria
Known forHomeopathy and Combitube
AwardsLifetime Achievement Award, Society for Airway Management (2011)
Scientific career
FieldsHomeopathy
WorkplacesMedical University of Vienna

Michael Frass (born 1954) is an Austrian medicine specialist for internal medicine and professor at the Medical University of Vienna (MUW). He is known for his work on homeopathy.

Biography

He is First Chairman of the Scientific Society for Homeopathy (WissHom), founded in 2010, president of the Umbrella organization of Austrian Doctors for Holistic Medicine, since 2002 and since 1994 Vicepresident of the Doctors Association for Classical Homeopathy.

Homoeopathic research

A major interest of Frass is homeopathy. He has published several papers on this subject.

Article in the Oncologist

In 2020 Frass was the corresponding author of an article in the medical journal The Oncologist which concluded that additional homoeopathic treatment improves quality of life and survival rates in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The results of the article were discussed outside of academic circles, for example in the Wiener Zeitung. After criticism (for example from the Informationsnetzwerk Homöopathie), the Austrian Agency for Scientific Integrity (Österreichische Agentur für wissenschaftliche Integrität) concluded that the article contains data manipulation and forgery. The Oncologist released an expression of concern in 2022 and retracted the article in November 2025.

Airway

He has also published several papers investigating the influence of controlled mechanical ventilation on the release of atrial natriuretic peptide. Furthermore, Frass has investigated devices designed for securing the airway under emergency conditions. He has performed studies on a broad range of different alternate airways.

Invention

Rapid assessment and management of respiratory structure and function are imperative in emergency intubation. Endotracheal intubation remains the gold standard in airway maintenance. However, endotracheal intubation may be impossible due to difficult circumstances with respect to space and illumination or anatomy even for skilled physicians. Therefore, the need arises for an alternative. The Combitube was designed with this goal in mind.

Frass is the inventor of the Combitube, a twin lumen device designed for use in emergency situations and difficult airways. He has published several papers on this topic.

References

  1. ↑ "Scientific Society for Homeopathy!". wisshom.de. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  2. ↑ "Österreichischer Dachverband für ärztliche Ganzheitsmedizin". ganzheitsmed.at (in German). Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  3. ↑ "Ärztegesellschaft für klassische Homöopathie". aekh.at (in German). Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  4. ↑ Frass, Michael; Lechleitner, Peter; Gründling, Christa; Pirker, Claudia; Grasmuk-Siegl, Erwin; Domayer, Julian; Hochmair, Maximilian; Gaertner, Katharina; Duscheck, Cornelia; Muchitsch, Ilse; Marosi, Christine; Schumacher, Michael; Zöchbauer-Müller, Sabine; Manchanda, Raj K.; Schrott, Andrea; Burghuber, Otto (2020-12-01). "Homeopathic Treatment as an Add-On Therapy May Improve Quality of Life and Prolong Survival in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Three-Arm, Multicenter Study". The Oncologist. 25 (12): e1930–e1955. doi:10.1002/onco.13548. ISSN 1083-7159. PMC 8108047. PMID 33010094. (Retracted, see doi:10.1093/oncolo/oyaf364, PMID 41277743,  Retraction Watch)
  5. ↑ Alexandra Grass (26 March 2021). "Komplementärmedizin - Studie sieht verbesserte Lebensqualität bei Lungenkrebs" (in German). Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  6. ↑ INH-Team (2022-11-03). "Verbesserungen beim Überleben von Lungenkrebspatienten mit homöopathischer Komplementärbehandlung (Frass et al. 2020) – Pressemitteilung des INH (31.10. / 03.11.2022)". Informationsnetzwerk Homöopathie (in German). Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  7. ↑ Christian Kreil (2022-11-08). "Homöopathie: Wie gehabt, eine neue Mogelei" (in Austrian German). Der Standard. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  8. ↑ Alwin Schoenberger (2022-10-28). "Homöopathie bei Krebspatienten: Fast zu schön, um wahr zu sein" (in German). Profil. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  9. ↑ "Expression of Concern: Homeopathic Treatment as an Add-On Therapy May Improve Quality of Life and Prolong Survival in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Three-Arm, Multicenter Study". The Oncologist. 27 (12): e985–e985. 2022-12-09. doi:10.1093/oncolo/oyac221. ISSN 1083-7159. PMC 9732219. PMID 36314553.
  10. ↑ "Retraction of: Homeopathic Treatment as an Add-On Therapy May Improve Quality of Life and Prolong Survival in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Three-Arm, Multicenter Study". The Oncologist. 30 (11). 2025-11-11. doi:10.1093/oncolo/oyaf364. ISSN 1083-7159. PMC 12641399. PMID 41277743.
  11. ↑ Frass, Michael; Watschinger, Bruno; Traindl, Otto; Popovic, Rainer; Podolsky, Andrea; Gisslinger, Heinz; Falger, Susanne; Goldin, Michel; Schuster, Ernst; Leithner, Christian (1993). "Atrial natriuretic peptide release in response to different positive end-expiratory pressure levels". Critical Care Medicine. 21 (3): 343–347. doi:10.1097/00003246-199303000-00009. PMID 8440102.
  12. ↑ Frass, Michael; Popovic, Rainer; Hartter, Engelbert; Auinger, Christian; Woloszczuk, Wolfgang; Leithner, Christian (1988). "Atrial natriuretic peptide decrease during spontaneous breathing with continuous positive airway pressure in volume-expanded healthy volunteers". Critical Care Medicine. 16 (9): 831–835. doi:10.1097/00003246-198809000-00002. PMID 2969791.
  13. ↑ Leithner, Christian; Frass, Michael; Pacher, Richard; Hartter, Engelbert; Pesl, Harald; Woloszczuk, Wolfgang (1987). "Mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure decreases release of alpha-atrial natriuretic peptide". Critical Care Medicine. 15 (5): 484–488. doi:10.1097/00003246-198705000-00005. PMID 2952461.
  14. ↑ Rabitsch, Werner; Köstler, Wolfgang J.; Burgmann, Heinz; Krafft, Peter; Frass, Michael (2005). "Recommendation of the Minimal Volume Technique to Avoid Tongue Engorgement with Prolonged Use of the Esophageal-Tracheal Combitube". Annals of Emergency Medicine. 45 (5): 565–566. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2004.11.031. PMID 15855963.
  15. ↑ Schaumann, Nikolaus; Lorenz, Veit; Schellongowski, Peter; Staudinger, Thomas; Locker, Gottfried J.; Burgmann, Heinz; Pikula, Branko; Hofbauer, Roland; Schuster, Ernst; Frass, Michael (2005). "Evaluation of Seldinger Technique Emergency Cricothyroidotomy versus Standard Surgical Cricothyroidotomy in 200 Cadavers". Anesthesiology. 102 (1): 7–11. doi:10.1097/00000542-200501000-00005. PMID 15618780.
  16. ↑ Rabitsch, W.; Köstler, W. J.; Fiebiger, W.; Dielacher, C.; Losert, H.; Sherif, C.; Staudinger, T.; Seper, E.; Koller, W.; Daxböck, F.; Schuster, E.; Knöbl, P.; Burgmann, H.; Frass, M. (2004). "Closed suctioning system reduces cross-contamination between bronchial system and gastric juices". Anesthesia and Analgesia. 99 (3): 886–92, table of contents. doi:10.1213/01.ANE.0000143353.85428.39 (inactive 12 July 2025). PMID 15333426.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)
  17. ↑ Mallows, James L.; Tyler, Perry A. (2021). "Randomized controlled trial comparing an open surgical technique and a Seldinger technique for cricothyrotomy performed on a simulated airway". AEM Education and Training. 5 (4) e10699. doi:10.1002/aet2.10699. PMC 8616178. PMID 34859169.
  18. ↑ Knapp, Sylvia; Kofler, Julia; Stoiser, Brigitte; Thalhammer, Florian; Burgmann, Heinz; Posch, Martin; Hofbauer, Roland; Stanzel, Margit; Frass, Michael (1999). "The Assessment of Four Different Methods to Verify Tracheal Tube Placement in the Critical Care Setting". Anesthesia & Analgesia. 88 (4): 766–770. doi:10.1097/00000539-199904000-00016. PMID 10195521.
  19. ↑ Ruetzler, Kurt; Roessler, Bernhard; Potura, Lukasz; Priemayr, Anita; Robak, Oliver; Schuster, Ernst; Frass, Michael (2011). "Performance and skill retention of intubation by paramedics using seven different airway devices—A manikin study". Resuscitation. 82 (5): 593–597. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2011.01.008. PMID 21353364.
  20. ↑ Robak, Oliver; Leonardelli, Marco; Zedtwitz-Liebenstein, Konstantin; Rützler, Kurt; Schuster, Ernst; Vaida, Sonia; Salem, Ramez; Frass, Michael (2012). "Feasibility and speed of insertion of seven supraglottic airway devices under simulated airway conditions". CJEM. 14 (6): 330–334. doi:10.2310/8000.2012.120658. PMID 23131479.
  21. ↑ Biebuyck, Jullen F.; Benumof, Jonathan L. (1991). "Management of the Difficult Adult Airway with Special Emphasis on Awake Tracheal Intubation". Anesthesiology. 75 (6): 1087–1110. doi:10.1097/00000542-199112000-00021. PMID 1824555.
  22. ↑ Ochs, Mel; Vilke, Gary M.; Chan, Theodore C.; Moats, Thomas; Buchanan, Jean (2000). "S Uccessful P Rehospital a Irway M Anagement by Emt-D S U Sing the C Ombitube". Prehospital Emergency Care. 4 (4): 333–337. doi:10.1080/10903120090941065. PMID 11045413.
  23. ↑ Lefrançois, Daniel P.; Dufour, Daniel G. (2002). "Use of the esophageal tracheal combitube™ by basic emergency medical technicians". Resuscitation. 52 (1): 77–83. doi:10.1016/s0300-9572(01)00441-5. PMID 11801352.
  24. ↑ Frass M, Salem MR, Vaida S, Hagberg CA. Esophageal-tracheal double-lumen airways: the Combitube and Easytube. Benumof and Hagberg's Airway Management, 3rd Edition, 2013, Publisher Saunders.
  25. ↑ Frass, Michael; Rodler, Suzanne; Frenzer, Reinhard; Ilias, Wilfried; Leithner, Christian; Lackner, Franz (1989). "Esophageal Tracheal Combitube, Endotracheal Airway, and Mask". The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care. 29 (11): 1476–1479. doi:10.1097/00005373-198911000-00004. PMID 2585558.