Brain and Nerve Surgery, also known as "Neurosurgery", is a branch of medicine that provides surgical treatment of diseases involving the brain, spinal cord and nerves in the body. Physicians performing these operations are called "Brain and Nerve Surgeons" or "Neurosurgeons".
Neurosurgery operations are procedures that require a high level of attention and precision, usually involve very detailed interventions and have higher risks compared to other surgeries. In addition, it is the surgical branch that is most closely intertwined with technological developments. While many diseases requiring surgery of the brain and nervous system previously used to be considered "fatal" or "incurable", with the technological and medical scientific developments which appear every year, they have become treatable today. Especially in the field of neurosurgery, the neurosurgeons in our partner hospitals have pioneered many developments at the international level and have a respected and leading position in the world.
In addition those hospitals have the most advanced and up-to-date technological equipment in the field of Brain and Nerve Surgery in terms of technological infrastructure. Thanks to their versatile academic staff and technological infrastructure, all cutting edge surgical interventions are successfully applied
Working areas of Brain and Nerve Surgery departments:
Neurooncological Surgery: (Brain Tumor Surgery)
Surgery is performed to remove brain tumors by surgical intervention. Today, diagnosis and evaluation of brain tumors can be made at an advanced level thanks to the developments in radiological imaging techniques such as high-resolution MRI, tomography, PET, and functional imaging. Operations can be performed with high success and low risk with the help of advanced surgical microscopes, endoscopes and sensitive microsurgical instruments that assist the surgeon. Techniques such as neuronavigation, intraoperative ultrasound, intraoperative MRI, brain mapping, neuromonitoring are successfully used in operations, which show the location and boundaries of the tumor and ensure the high level of preservation of normal brain tissues. Thanks to high technology, it is possible to distinguish the tumor from normal tissues by staining it with special tissue dyes during surgery. In addition, the maintenance and comfort of the vital functions of the patient before, during and after surgery can be provided at a high level thanks to advanced patient care services, experienced Neuro-anesthesia approach and Neuro-intensive care facilities.
Examples of diseases and methods that undergo surgical treatment;
• Tumors of the brain itself or metastatic
• Meningioma (meninges tumors)
• Skull base tumors
• Endoscopic surgery
• Pituitary gland tumors
• Cerebellum and brainstem tumors
• Corner tumors - schwannoma
• Intraventricular tumors
• Skull tumors
Neurovascular Surgery: (Operations of cerebrovascular diseases)
It is the field that includes the surgical treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. An experienced team work is required for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases, which often manifest themselves with cerebral hemorrhage or stroke (paralysis). Imaging examinations such as CT-angiography, MR-angiography and cerebral angiography are of great importance in the diagnosis and evaluation of these diseases. Therefore, it requires teamwork with experienced radiology and interventional radiology specialists. In addition, advanced patient care, intensive care facilities and the contribution of an experienced neuro-anesthesia team are required during the treatment process.
Examples of diseases and surgical methods evaluated in the field of neurovascular surgery:
• Aneurysm (vascular bubble)
• AVM (arteriovenous malformation) (brain vascular ball)
• Arteriovenous fistula
• Cerebral By-pass surgeries
• Carotid endarterectomy (surgical opening of the carotid artery stenosis)
• Decompressive craniectomy (opening of the skull in stroke patients)
Deep Brain Stimulations Surgery:
Deep brain stimulation is used to treat a number of neurological conditions, such as:
• Essential tremor
• Parkinson's disease
• Dystonia
Deep brain stimulation involves implanting electrodes within certain areas of your brain. These electrodes produce electrical impulses that regulate abnormal impulses. Or, the electrical impulses can affect certain cells and chemicals within the brain.
The amount of stimulation in deep brain stimulation is controlled by a pacemaker-like device placed under the skin in your upper chest. A wire that travels under your skin connects this device to the electrodes in your brain.