Best Foraminotomy neurosurgeons in Turkey: TOP 28 doctors

Dr. X has 10 years of experience in Neurosurgery at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital Neurology Clinic, Yozgat City Hospital, Private Lokman Hekim Akay Hospital, and Emsey Hospital.

Education and Expertise

1998 - 2005 - Marmara University Faculty of Medicine

1998 - 2005 - Marmara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul

(Head of the Department: Prof Dr Türker KILIÇ)

2011 - 2012 - Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA (Director: Murat Günel MD. PhD., Professor of Neurosurgery)Cerebrovascular Research Fellowship

Professional Memberships

2014 + Turkish Neurosurgery Association

2017 + Turkish Spine Association

2018 + AOSpine

Awards

Turkish Neurosurgery Society 31st Scientific Congress “Prof. Dr. Hamit Ziya Gökalp Young Neurosurgeon Encouragement First Prize”, Antalya, 2017.

Courses and Certificates

1. Member of the Organizing Committee; 12. National Neuroscience Congress, Bahçeşehir University, 28-31 May 2014

2. Member of the Organizing Committee; 11. ASNO 'Skull-base Anatomy Course', 11-14 September 2014, Istanbul

3. Instructor / Member of the Organizing Committee; Neurosurgery Course Series – 4 /Prof. Dr. Evandro de Oliveira Skull Base Course 2, Prof. Rhoton Anatomy Lab BAU Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, 2015.

4. Member of the Organizing Committee; International Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery Microelectrode Recording Cadaver Course, Rhoton Anatomy Lab BAU Faculty of Medicine, 6-7 February 2015 Istanbul.

5. Organization Officer; TND Istanbul Meetings, Istanbul

Dr. Tamer Tekin is a distinguished Neurosurgeon who received his medical degree from Gülhane Military Medicine Faculty in 1999. His clinical expertise encompasses a wide range of spinal conditions and treatments, with particular focus on spinal trauma, degenerative spinal diseases, and advanced surgical techniques. Dr. Tekin specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, laser discectomy, and various therapeutic interventions including spinal injections and kyphoplasty.

As a spine specialist, Dr. Tekin has developed significant expertise in complex procedures such as disc replacement and spine reconstruction. His practice extends to the treatment of spine tumors and infections, demonstrating his comprehensive approach to spinal care.

Prof. Dr. Gülşah Bademci is a physician specialized in the field of brain, nerve, spine, and spinal cord surgery. She graduated as the fourth-ranked student from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 1993. She obtained her title as a brain and nerve surgeon from the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Department of Brain and Nerve Surgery in 2001. In 2008, she became an associate professor at the Kırıkkale University Faculty of Medicine, and in 2021, she became a professor at the Yüksek İhtisas University Faculty of Medicine. She has contributed to numerous international publications, serving as a research and clinical fellow at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences with Prof. Dr. M. Gazi Yaşargil, and as a research fellow at Yale University School of Medicine. She holds ECFMG America Board Step 1 and EANS European Board certificates. She speaks advanced-level English and has awards in tennis and swimming. She also pursues professional-level caricature art and medical illustration. In her 30-year career, she has performed numerous surgeries as a brain and nerve surgery specialist, particularly in spinal canal stenosis surgery, lumbar and cervical disc herniations, brain tumors, hydrocephalus surgery, and nerve compressions.

Specialization: Neurospinal Cord and Nerve Surgery

Foreign Language : English

Date of Birth: 03.02.1974

Education :

Gazi University Faculty of Medicine (1991-1997)
Fırat University Neurosurgery Specialization (1999-2004)

Experience:

Private Adatip Hospital (2004-2013)
Private Cihan Hospital (2013-2015)
Private Adatip Hospital (2015-...)

Memberships:

Sakarya Medical Chamber
Turkish Neurosurgery Association

Trustworthy, attentive, successful neurosurgeon with over 34 years of experience, high rate of success and exceptional surgical skills, providing quality neurological service for patients, successfully treating over thousands of patients suffering from many severe, complex conditions of the brain, spine and the nerves. 

Experienced in performing treatment modalities like micro neurosurgery, endoscopic skull base surgery, endoscopic third ventriculostomy, minimally invasive spine surgery and percutaneous spine surgery. Keen on performing clinical research and attending national and international medical conferences to stay abreast of new technologies in the field. Compassionate and detail-oriented with excellent communication skills. Expertise in healthcare, education and program management. Adept at developing and implementing forward-thinking strategies to enhance patient outcomes and collective knowledge in the field. Desiring to bring skills and success. Focused on working closely with other medical professionals and following up with patients. Well-versed at emergency procedures and fast and accurate sanitation.

Work History

2020-01 – Current - Asst. Prof. Neurosurgeon

Istanbul Medipol University, Health Care Practice and Research Center Pendik Hospital

• He successfully treated and followed patients with cerebral hemorrhage, brain and spinal cord tumors, and patients with hydrocephalus.

• He performed transnasal pituitary surgeries with success.

• Also, many cervical lumbar and thoracic disc patients were successfully treated, and disc prosthesis were applied to some of them.

• He re-operated a degenerative spine patient who had been operated on before at another center and the patient regained his health.

• He also successfully treated patients with premature neonatal intracerebral hemorrhage.

2019-08 – 2020-01 - Neurosurgeon

Freelancer, Istanbul, Turkey

• Operated on patients' brains, spines and peripheral nerves to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases and improve patients' motor functions. Performed successful operations for complex, advanced and complicated disease of the brain and spine some of which were operated unsuccessfully at other medical centers by different neurosurgeons.

• Offered advanced knowledge, leadership abilities and technical assistance with complex surgical cases.

• Maintained admitting privileges at local hospitals and provided quality follow-up care.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times.

• Designed treatment plans for patients.

• Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Founded a spinal surgery group with orthopedic surgeons and treated very advanced and severe vertebra deformities, spine abnormalities, scoliosis.

2018-12 - 2019-08 - Neurosurgeon

Alkafeel Super Speciality Hospital, Karbala, Iraq

• Conducted up to 5 operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, and treat diseases of different areas. Performed successful operations (success rate 100 percent : 90-95) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain, spine and nerves in adults and children. (Cerebral intrinsic and extrinsic tumor surgery, posterior fossa surgery, spontaneous and traumatic intracranial hematomas, Interhemispheric 3th ventricle and lateral ventricle surgery, pontocerebellar angle tumor surgery, spinal instrumentation and fusion surgery, microdiscectomy cervical, thoracic, lumbar, pediatric cranial and spine anomaly surgery). Followed the patients postoperatively.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times.

• Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries.

• Examined 900 patients in total in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatments to them when necessary.

2015-10 - 2018-11 - Neurosurgeon

Medistate Kavacık Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

• Operated on patients' brains, spines and peripheral nerves to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat different advanced, complex severe diseases and improve patients' motor functions.

• Conducted up to operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, restore partial or full functionality and prevent and treat diseases of different areas. 

• Performed successful operations (success rate percent : 95) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain , spine and nerves in adults and children.(Brain tumor, arachnoid cyst, intracerebral hematoma, spinal stenosis, hydrocephalus, myelomeningocele).Followed the patients postoperatively. 

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries (intracerebral hematoma, intracerebral abscess).

• Examined 850 patients in total in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatment to them when necessary.

1994-03 - 2015-09 - Neurosurgeon

Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

• Supervised trainees, medical students, residents and fellows to help each achieve proficiency in field.

• Conducted up to 20 operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, restore partial or full functionality and prevent and treat diseases of different areas. Performed successful operations (success rate: %90) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain, spine and nerves in adults and children. (Skull base surgery, extended trans base approach, orbit zygomatic approach, presigmoid approach, orbital approaches, transcranial and lateral orbitotomy, Endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, CSF leakage surgery, endoscopic, microscopic and transsphenoidal, transcranial. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and surgery of multiloculated hydrocephalus and pediatric neurosurgery. Cerebral intrinsic and extrinsic tumor surgery, posterior fossa surgery. Brain aneurysm, AVM and cavernoma surgery.

• Spontaneous and traumatic intracranial hematomas. Hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia surgery (microsurgical decompression) Interhemispheric 3th ventricle and lateral ventricle surgery. Pineal area surgery. Pontocerebellar angle tumor surgery.

• Foreman magnum tumors surgery. Surgery of hydrocephaly, Syringomyelia and craniovertebral animalia).Followed the patients postoperatively.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries (Epidural, subdural and intracerebral hematoma, vertebra fracture).

• Examined 500-700 patients per day in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatment to them when necessary. Examined patients in the emergency service.

• Designed treatment plans for patients.

• Offered advanced knowledge, leadership abilities and technical assistance with complex surgical cases.

• Led and oversaw 15 medical personnel in operating room setting to perform surgeries.

• Led and oversaw medical personnel in operating room setting to perform surgeries.

Education

1982-09 - 1988-08

M.D.: Medicine And (Pre-Medicine)

Ankara University Medical School - Ankara

General Medicine Training for 6 years. Graduated with a high GPA.

1988-11 - 1994-05

Specialist Neurosurgery: Neuroscience

University of Health Sciences - Ankara

6 years of neurosurgery training.

• My thesis was on brain abscess and their clinical and laboratory evaluations

1995-05 - 1995-07

Neuroscience

The Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry.

Ankara

I attended the course for microsurgery at University of Hacettepe Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry.

1998-04 - 2019-05

Observer Doctor: Neuroscience

Department of Neurosurgery, MSU - Ann Arbour, 

Michigan USA

2012-05 - 2012-05

Neuro endoscopy: Neuroscience

Ghent University - Ghent, Belgium

International endoscopic neurosurgery workshop, 

Ghent, Belgium

I attended the workshop for endoscopic skull base operations the and Neuro endoscopic third ventriculostomy at University of Ghent Hospital

Skills

Micro neurosurgery - Excellent

Neuro endoscopy - Excellent

Cranial base endoscopy - Excellent

Minimal invasive surgery - Excellent

Percutaneous spinal surgery - Excellent

Neuronavigation – Excellent

Certifications

1995-04 Microsurgery

2012-05 Endoscopy

Languages

Turkish - Native

English - Advanced

Arabic - Novice

Affiliations

Turkish Neurosurgical Society

Turkish Medical Association

Accomplishments

• Trained team of staff nurses in medical office procedures to ensure consistent quality of care.

• Published 17 articles in national and international reviews and presented papers in medical congresses.

Interests and operations I perform

Vascular diseases of brain

Endoscopic hypophysis surgery

Tumors of brain, spine and medulla spinalis surgery

Endoscopic brain ventricle surgery

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy 

Traumas of brain and spine

Cervical, thoracic and lumbar disc hernias and narrow 

canal disease surgery

Spine instrumentation and fusion surgery

Baclofen pump and neurostimulators insertions

Hydrocephalus surgery

Congenital diseases of the brain and spine (pediatric 

neurosurgery)

Peripheral nerve surgery

Prof. Dr. Ilhan Elmacı was born in Niğde, a city located in the heart of Anatolia. He completed his high school education in Adana and graduated from Ankara University Medical School. His career began in 1987 at the Bakırköy Neurological Sciences Hospital, under the mentorship of Dr. Zeki Oral, where he completed his Neurosurgery residency by 1993. During this time, he also undertook groundbreaking micro neurosurgery training at Zurich University under the guidance of Professor M. Gazi Yaşargil.

From 1993 to 2003, Prof. Elmacı served as a teaching assistant and later assistant professor at Professor Necmettin Pamir’s Clinic, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine. He also enhanced his expertise in neurooncology and vascular neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University, working with Professors Donlin M. Long and Daniele Rigamonti. In 2003, he was appointed Associate Professor of Neurosurgery.

Between 2004 and 2010, Prof. Elmacı served as Chief of Clinic at Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, where he led the clinic to become the first in Turkey accredited by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS). During this period, he completed his endoscopic skull base surgery training at the University of Pittsburgh.

In 2010, Prof. Elmacı joined Acıbadem University Faculty of Medicine as a Professor of Neurosurgery and went on to establish the Neurosurgery Department at Medipol University Faculty of Medicine in 2012. He headed the Neurosurgery Department at Memorial Health Group Istanbul Hospitals from 2014 to 2018, and then worked with his team at Maslak Hospital, Acıbadem Health Group, until September 2021.

Since October 2021, he has been working with his team at his private clinic in Fulya and Ulus Hospital of Liv Health Group. Prof. Elmacı is the founding chairman of the Skull Base Society in Turkey and a member of the Executive Committee of the European Skull Base Society (ESBS). With more than 110 published scientific papers in international journals and over 250 congress presentations, he continues to shape the field of neurosurgery.

Since November 2023, he has been working with his team at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital, focusing on cutting-edge areas of research and treatment, including brain and spinal tumors, pituitary adenomas, brain vascular diseases, back and neck pain, hydrocephalus, cerebellar herniation, syringomyelia, and trigeminal neuralgia. He also specializes in microsurgery, endoscopic surgery, and advanced techniques like neuromonitorization and neuronavigation to improve patient outcomes. His work is guided by ethical principles, always aiming to preserve patients' quality of life.

Education & Training

Medical Education:

• Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey (1977 - 1983)
• M.D. Degree earned in 1983

Neurosurgical Training:

• Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul (1985 - 1991)
• Certification from the Turkish Ministry of Health, Turkish Board in Neurosurgery (1991)

Previous Appointments

• Physician: Obligatory Service, March 1983 - March 1985
• Consultant Neurosurgeon: Medical Faculty, Trakya University, Edirne, February 1993 - September 1993
• Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery: Medical Faculty, Trakya University, Edirne, September 1993 - January 1996
• Consultant Neurosurgeon: Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, January 1996 - January 2000
• Associate Professor: Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, January 2000 - January 2006
• Professor of Neurosurgery: Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, January 2006 - April 2011
• Retired from University: April 2011
• Professor of Neurosurgery & Founder: Neurosurgery Department, Okan University Hospital, Istanbul, December 2016 - March 2018
• Current Appointment: Private Office, Kadıköy, Ataşehir & Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospitals

Certificates & Specializations

1. Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery Course, Oulu, Finland, 1990
2. EANS European Courses (5-year cycle): Amsterdam (1988), Rostock (1989), Çeşme (1994), Klagenfurt (1995), Aalborg (1996)
3. Primary Examination for European Board, Klagenfurt, Austria, 1995
4. Advanced Training in Functional Disorders with Leksell Gamma Knife, Marseille, France, 2004
5. Advanced Training in Vestibular Schwannomas and Skull Base Surgery with Leksell Gamma Knife, Marseille, France, 2004
6. DISC Nucleoplasty in Cervical and Lumbar Disc Diseases, Freiburg, Germany, 2004
7. Neuropathfinder Train-the-Trainer, Vienna, Austria, 2009
8. Neuropathfinder Train-the-Trainer, Athens, Greece, 2011
9. Full-Endoscopic Spine Surgery Certificate, Herne, Germany, 2011

International Experience

1. University Central Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Kuopio, Finland, under the care of Prof. Matti Vapalahti and Prof. Juha Hernesniemi, April-May 1990
2. Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery and Radiosurgery, Marseille, France, August-October 2004

Publications & Presentations

• 9 Book Chapters (National & International Publications)
• 68 Articles
• 82 Reports (Presented orally or as posters)
• 33 International Congresses (Speaker or Moderator)
• 99 National Congresses & Symposia (Speaker or Moderator)

Experience

2019 – 2019

• University of Insubria, Varese, Italy, 

Insubria University Faculty of Medicine

2015

• MERSİN UNIVERSITY/FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DOCTOR, LECTURER

2013 – 2015

• ANKARA PRIVATE ACIBADEM HOSPITAL

2010 – 2012

• DIYARBAKIR TRAINING AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL,

2002 – 2003

• AYDIN 1ST PRIVATE TRAINING BATTALION
•  

Education

2010

• ANKARA UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF MEDICINE, BRAIN AND SURGERY SPECIALIST

1992

• GAZI UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF MEDICINE

Prof. Erkan Kaptanoğlu, M.D. was born in Balikesir, Turkey in 1966. After completing his primary school, secondary school and high school education in Balikesir, he graduated from Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine in 1990. He completed his internship at Peterborough District Hospital and Lincoln County Hospital in the United Kingdom. After a year of compulsory medical service, he completed his residency, which he had started in 1992, at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital in 1997 and became a Neurosurgery Specialist. After being assigned at the same hospital as Chief Resident in the same year, he studied “spinal cord injury and spinal cord regeneration” as a “research fellow” alongside Prof. Charles Tator, M.D., at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1998-1999. After returning from Canada in 1999, he was tasked by the Ministry of Health to establish a Field Hospital and to work in cooperation with the Turkish Red Crescent Society at Hakkari, Şemdinli for two months. Following this assignment, he volunteered to work for the 1999 Marmara Earthquake relief effort.

He became an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery in 2004. He earned the title Doctor of Science (Ph.D.) by completing a doctorate program on Advanced Neuroscience between 2000-2005, at Hacettepe University Institute of Medical Sciences. He joined the project for autologous stem cell therapy in human spinal cord injuries with the Departments of Neurosurgery and Hematology at the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine. In 2009, he was appointed as Deputy Chief to the 1st Neurosurgery Clinic at the Ankara Numune Hospital, where he had been working.

At this hospital, in which he worked until 2010, he supervised and attended complex cranial, pediatric, spinal, trauma and vascular neurosurgery operations. He continued his academic research at Ankara University, Department of Anatomy and research laboratories of Ankara University and Hacettepe University for the purpose of developing strategies for complex spinal surgery operations.

With his research on spinal cord injuries and spinal anatomy, he won many awards such as the Acibadem Hospital Medical Research Award, 1st Place in 2000, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Dr. Mahir Tevruz Scientific Research Award, Tübitak and Brain Research Society Wheyt Award in 2001, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Hamit Ziya Gokalp Young Neurosurgeons Research Award, 2nd Place in 2002, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Yildiz Yalcinlar Scientific Research Award in 2004.

In 2010, he went to Cyprus to found the Near East University Faculty of Medicine Hospital with the guidance of Hacettepe University, and was appointed as full Professor. Between 2010-2015, he served as the Founder and Head of Department at the Near East University and Founder and Deputy Chief Physician at the University Training and Research Hospital in TRNC.

In 2000-2001, he served as a member of the editorial board for Türk Nöroşirurji Dergisi and Turkish Neurosurgery journal. Between the years 2001-2006, he served as an assistant editor for Türk Nöroşirurji Dergisi and Turkish Neurosurgery journals. In 2002-2003, he served as the Chairman of the Young Neurosurgeons Committee under the Turkish Neurosurgical Society. He was elected to the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors to serve between 2003-2009. In 2013, he was again elected as a member to the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors. In 2015, he became the Chairman of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors. In 2018, he was elected as a member to the Board of Turkish Neurosurgery Academy.

In 2015, he was appointed to the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery and was elected as the Head of Department. During the same period, he also served as the Director of the Institute of Neuroscience. In 2018, he completed his tenure as the Head of Department. Reaching the end of this tenure in 2019, he retired from his duties as the Director of the Institute of Neuroscience and as a Member of the Faculty of Medicine. During his tenure at Marmara University, he supervised and accompanied surgical operations for complex cases from cranial patients to brain tumors (gliomas, meningiomas and hypophysis adenomas in particular), cerebral hemorrhages, Parkinson’s disease, trauma and vascular neurosurgery. He performed complex spinal surgery operations such as surgeries for spinal deformities (e.g. scoliosis and kyphosis), thoracoscopic spinal surgeries and sacral tumor surgeries. He conducted research and experimental studies on stem cell therapy and regeneration in spinal cord injuries. Between 2019-2020, currently He continues his clinical practice and surgeries along with his local and international academic studies, from his private clinic and Istanbul Brain and Spine Center.

He has attended numerous national and international courses and meetings as an instructor and speaker, was a guest speaker in over 100 events and conferences. He has published 65 international, 35 national scientific articles, edited 7 books, written 52 book chapters. He has served in the organizational committee 5 times in international meetings and 22 times in national meetings.

He is a member of the Turkish Medical Association, Turkish Cypriot Medical Association, Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Turkish Spine Society, EUROSPINE, AO Spine, Turkish Neurosurgery Academy.

Experience

Hospitalpark Darıca Hospital

Sultanbeyli State Hospital

Yesilyurt State Hospital

Edirne Health Center No. 4

Education

Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine (1989)

Istanbul Göztepe Training and Research Hospital

Vocational Trainings, Courses and Conferences Attended

Marmara University Istanbul Pediatric Orthopedic Meetings "Sipina Bifida" Symposium

Turkish Neurosurgery Association Cervical Disc Herniation Course

Turkish Neurosurgery Association "Spinal Surgery and Peripheral Nerve Surgery" Training Course

Turkish Neurosurgery Association "Cerebrovascular Surgery" Training Course

Turkish Neurosurgery Association "Head Traumas, Pain Management and Functional Neurosurgery" Training Course

TCDD "Preventive Medicine" Course

Turkish Neurosurgery Association "12th Scientific Congress" Antalya

Turkish Neurosurgery Association "13th Scientific Congress" Istanbul

Turkish Neurosurgery Association Course on "Tumors"

Professional Memberships

Turkish Neurosurgery Association

Turkish Medical Association

Specializations

Micro Surgical Lumbar and Cervical Disc Herniation Treatment

Scoliosis Surgery and Treatment

Brain and Spine Tumors

Spine Fracture Treatment

Spinal Canal Narrowing Surgery

Lumbar Slipping Surgery and Treatment