Neurosurgery is a surgical branch of medicine, which provides for the surgical treatment of pathologies of the nervous system, brain, and spinal cord. Germany is a country with advanced medical technologies. Therefore, German neurosurgeons are among the most sought-after specialists in patients all over the world.
German neurosurgery clinics are equipped with the latest-generation devices for diagnostics and minimally invasive operations. Low-traumatic interventions include those that can be carried out through punctures of 3-5 mm in diameter. Due to this, healthy tissues are less injured, and healing and rehabilitation are faster than with traditional methods of surgery.
Foreign patients have access to the most modern medical technologies that are not yet used in other countries. Therefore, residents of the USA, England, and Kazakhstan often come to German clinics.
What kind of diagnostics is carried out in neurosurgical clinics in Germany?
Accurate diagnostics allows German doctors to select the optimal treatment and surgery protocol for patients of all age groups. The main research methods include:
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
- positron emission tomography combined with MRI or CT;
- electroencephalogram (EEG);
- neurosonography;
- Doppler scanning of blood vessels;
- tests for neurological diseases;
- blood tests.
Depending on the patient’s state and the presence of chronic diseases, doctors may prescribe additional examinations. This is necessary to eliminate risks during surgery and to correct therapy throughout the entire period of treatment.
For which neurosurgical operations is it worth coming to Germany?
Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are malignant and benign. Most often, they affect the brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and spinal cord. Surgical interventions in these areas must be performed with high precision. For the treatment of such complex pathologies, it is important to apply not only to a qualified neurosurgeon, but also to receive a comprehensive examination. For this, German clinics provide for the participation of a multidisciplinary team of doctors.
Foreign patients most often turn to German specialists for:
- removal of pituitary adenoma;
- hemorrhagic stroke surgery;
- treatment of arteriovenous malformations;
- surgical treatment of hydrocephalus, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease;
- elimination of consequences of injuries to the peripheral nervous system;
- removal of spinal neoplasms;
- treatment of eosinophilic granuloma of the spine;
- surgery for injuries to the bones of the skull and spine;
- removal of a hernia with replacement of the intervertebral disc.
Examples of neurosurgical operations.
German neurosurgeons perform minimally invasive interventions according to indications. For example, the removal of a pituitary adenoma is carried out transnasally (through the nose) without extensive incisions.
As palliative care, German doctors perform multiple subpial incisions. This prevents the spread of seizures in functionally significant areas of the cerebral cortex. This procedure alleviates the patient’s condition in the most severe forms of epilepsy.
Small protrusions can be removed by a neurosurgeon with a special laser. For large hernias, doctors perform percutaneous endoscopic discectomy through a puncture up to 4 mm. This medical approach provides less blood loss and reduces the risk of secondary infection.
Expanded Areas of Neurosurgery in Germany
The material and technical base of German clinics allows the creation of units in various areas of neurosurgery. The assistance of highly specialized doctors makes the treatment process more effective.
Vascular Neurosurgery
In the departments of vascular and endovascular neurosurgery, diagnostics, therapy, and prevention of disorders of the blood supply to the brain are carried out. These centers are visited by patients with diseases of the blood vessels around and inside the brain, arteriovenous malformations, and aneurysms.
Stereotactic neurosurgery
In the departments of stereotactic neurosurgery, a unique treatment of structures where conventional surgical access is impossible is carried out. Doctors use a three-dimensional coordinate system, which ensures maximum accuracy of exposure. This sparing procedure allows to study the structures of the brain and treat diseases of the nervous system.
Oncological neurosurgery
The departments of neurooncology treat malignant tumors of the brain and spinal cord. The work of specialists is based on interactions between a neurooncologist, an oncologist, a neurosurgeon, and a radiologist. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer in the head, neck, or spine most often address to these departments.
German doctors complement the surgical treatment of tumors with modern anticancer therapy. In special cases, genetic engineering can be used when working with a patient’s DNA.
Pediatric Neurosurgery in Germany
Departments of pediatric neurosurgery in Germany are focused on patients under 18 years of age. Narrow-profile specialists carry out surgical treatment of the smallest structures of the child’s body. Hospitals are equipped with modern surgical equipment and monitoring systems of the latest generations.
Most often, foreigners bring children to Germany for the treatment of:
- tumors of the brain and spinal cord of various etiologies;
- craniostenosis;
- traumatic brain injury;
- post-traumatic hematomas;
- congenital hydrocephalus;
- severe epilepsy (including West’s syndrome);
- pathologies of CNS development;
- back Bifida (spina bifida).
In Germany, in the Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, doctors perform a hemispherectomy, the removal of the epileptoid zone in part of the cerebral hemisphere. The remaining half of the brain can compensate for some of the functions lost when the other part was removed. According to the Hemispherectomy Foundation, this type of surgery is most effective in children with severe epilepsy.
According to the American Epilepsy Foundation, some types of surgical treatment of epilepsy can lead to the disappearance of seizures and improve the quality of life in 80% of patients with a drug-resistant form of the disease.
Benefits of German Neurosurgery
Doctors. A neurosurgeon in Germany is a specialist to whom the country’s Ministry of Health places high demands. This applies to a long period of study, long-term internships, and accreditation. German doctors constantly improve their skills and receive certificates from manufacturers of medical equipment. Therefore, the neurosurgeons of German clinics are advanced specialists who introduce the latest medical developments into their practice.
The experience of a specialist in the field of neurosurgery in Germany is formed as follows: from 4 years of postgraduate practice, from 7 years or more internships in the clinic. At the same time, young neurosurgeons take part in clinical trials. Thus, the preparation lasts for about 15 years before the specialist starts independent practice.
Medical equipment. The equipment of the clinics makes German neurosurgery advanced. All conditions are created in the departments of neurosurgery for examinations and the most complex operations in adults and children.
Visualization methods include:
- intraoperative microscopes help doctors perform high-precision surgical interventions on the smallest structures of the nervous system;
- Contrast agents for injection into the bloodstream or an organ can detect all anomalies in a CT or MRI study.
Modern neuroimaging methods contribute to an accurate diagnosis in patients with metastases, tumors of different sizes, or ischemic foci in the head. This is important for the treatment of diseases such as:
- occlusion of aneurysms;
- chronic cerebral ischemia;
- rupture of aortic aneurysm;
- degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine.
Neurosurgical methods of treatment:
- endarterectomy is a removal of a plaque in atherosclerosis;
- shunting is a restoration of blood flow in the brain;
- clipping is an installation of a special clip on a damaged vessel in the skull area;
- endovascular embolization is an operation to close the aneurysm to eliminate the risk of its rupture;
- callosotomy is a resection of the brain, for example, in the case of epilepsy;
- DBS – stimulation of the deep parts of the brain with a special electrode;
- VNS therapy is a vagus nerve stimulation to complement therapy for epilepsy.
The best neurosurgeons in Germany can combine techniques to achieve the best result. The treatment program is selected individually for each case.
Neurosurgery in Germany: prices
The cost of treatment in German neurosurgical clinics may vary. It depends on the popularity of the hospital, the status of doctors, and the complex of diagnostic and surgical measures. For example, a consultation with a neurosurgeon in Berlin will cost an average of $400-600. Getting a second opinion from a doctor is from $370.
Neurosurgery in Germany at a cost includes the services of nurses and the length of the patient’s stay in the hospital. Additional expenses include food and medicines.
Neurosurgical interventions on the brain cost $24,000-28,000 on average. Removal of an intervertebral hernia costs from $15,000 to $18,000. The final price will depend on the method of surgery, the number of dressings, and the period of postoperative rehabilitation.
How to choose the best neurosurgery clinics in Germany?
Experts Medical cooperates with leading medical centers in Germany. If you leave a request on the website, the coordinators-doctors of the company will be able to help you choose a neurosurgeon and a German hospital. They will organize a trip for you, help with paperwork, and coordinate abroad for the entire period of treatment.
Experts Medical services are free for patients. If you are interested in neurosurgery in Germany, you can see patient reviews on the website.
The material was checked and approved by Erica Igonina, a medical author at Experts Medical.
