Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Strauss Ido
27 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
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Dr. Zvi Cohen is the Director of the Neurosurgery Department at Sheba Medical Center. He was recently recognized in Forbes Israel’s Best Doctors list for 2025. Dr. Cohen specializes in treating complex brain, pituitary, and spinal cord tumors. He founded the brain tumor tissue bank at Sheba to support oncological research. Dr. Cohen is board-certified in neurosurgery and leads clinical trials for malignant brain tumors.
Dr. Roth is a leading neurosurgeon with specialized, advanced training in the delicate endoscopic techniques required for infant skull surgery.
Dr. Bokstein is the head of the Neurooncology Clinic at the renowned Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov).
Professor Constantini is a leader in pediatric neurosurgery, focusing on congenital conditions like craniostenosis at the Sourasky Medical Center.
Primary surgical options in Israel include minimally invasive endoscopic suturectomy for infants and traditional open cranial vault reconstruction for older children. Leading centers like Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah utilize advanced 3D imaging to tailor procedures. These specialists prioritize early intervention to support healthy brain development.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli pediatric neurosurgery stands out due to the high volume of complex cases handled by academic leaders. Professor Shlomi Constantini at Sourasky Medical Center specialized in neonatal bone disorders. This depth of expertise is critical because high-volume centers performing over 20 procedures annually typically maintain higher success rates. Patients benefit from the multidisciplinary approach at facilities treating over 11,000 children per year.
Patient Consensus: Parents emphasize that starting treatment between 3 and 12 months is vital for preventing developmental delays. Many note that while open surgery involves longer recovery, the long-term cosmetic results are highly effective.
The optimal age for craniostenosis surgery is between 3 and 12 months. Early intervention leverages rapid brain growth and high skull plasticity. Endoscopic repair is ideal at 2 to 4 months. More invasive open reconstruction typically occurs between 9 and 12 months for better results.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers like Sourasky perform over 34,000 operations annually with high success. Prof. Dr. Shlomi Constantini specializes in neonatal bone structure and reconstructive interventions. His expertise in advanced neuro-endoscopy allows for safer, smaller incisions in infants under 6 months. Choosing a high-volume center in Tel Aviv ensures access to specialized pediatric neurosurgeons who manage these narrow developmental windows.
Patient Consensus: Parents emphasize that early surgery prevents potential vision issues and chronic headaches. Many note that acting before 6 months leads to smoother recoveries and better functional symmetry.
Helmet requirements depend on the surgical technique chosen for craniostenosis. Surgeons at Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited Israeli centers use molding helmets primarily after minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. Open cranial vault remodeling typically achieves reshaping during the operation, usually making post-operative helmets unnecessary.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgeons like Prof. Shlomi Constantini at Sourasky Medical Center leverage extensive training across Europe and the USA to offer both endoscopic and open reconstructions. Data shows that while endoscopic packages may start with lower initial surgical costs, they require long-term investment in custom orthotics. Choosing a specialist with international fellowships ensures access to precise intraoperative molding, which can sometimes reduce the total duration of post-operative helmet therapy.
Patient Consensus: Parents recommend asking for head-shape outcome statistics for both techniques before deciding. Those who chose endoscopic procedures suggest preparing for more frequent follow-up visits with an orthotist to adjust the helmet for growth.
Israeli pediatric neurosurgery centers report a 95.5 to 95.6% safety rate for surgical interventions based on national benchmarks. These facilities maintain survival rates for major medical procedures that exceed Global OECD averages. Centers like Sheba Medical Center have achieved 100% of national quality targets.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery stands out because top directors often have dual fellowships from major US centers. Dr. Zvi Cohen at Sheba Medical Center underwent training at MD Anderson and Beth Israel. This high-level international training explains why Israeli hospitals consistently meet 100% of national quality targets.
Patient Consensus: Parents note that starting treatment before 12 months often leads to near-perfect cosmetic results. They emphasize that while blood volume risks exist, multidisciplinary teams are essential for catching syndromic cases early.
Patients typically stay in Israeli hospitals for 3 to 7 days for craniostenosis surgery. Most children spend the first 24 to 48 hours in the intensive care unit for monitoring. Discharge depends on stable vital signs, effective pain management, and the child's ability to feed properly.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many parents focus on the surgery length, the choice between clinics like Sourasky or Hadassah often depends on specializing in endoscopic versus open techniques. Professor Shlomi Constantini at Sourasky specializes in neonatal bone disorders and neuro-endoscopy. Choosing a surgeon with this specific dual expertise can potentially reduce hospital stays by 2 days compared to traditional open methods.
Patient Consensus: Parents emphasize that while the surgery is daunting, most babies are ready for discharge around day 4. They often note that delays usually happen if there are minor fevers or if helmet fitting takes longer than expected.
Israel specializes in craniostenosis treatment at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky Medical Center and Shaare Zedek Medical Center. These facilities utilize 3D brain modeling for precise surgical planning. Expert neurosurgeons perform complex reconstructive interventions. Leading specialists include Dr. Shlomi Constantini and Dr. Jonathan Roth.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many search for general hospital reputation, the surgeon's specific focus on neonatal bone structure matters more. Dr. Shlomi Constantini at Sourasky Medical Center specializes specifically in congenital bone structure disorders. He holds a H-index of 29. This level of academic and clinical focus is rare. It often results in higher precision for reconstructive skull procedures than at general pediatric units.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize finding doctors with high personal case volumes, specifically at least 20 operations yearly. They also note the importance of checking revision rates and planning for long-term follow-up care.
Children treated for craniostenosis can expect a normal life with proper physical and cognitive development. Early surgical intervention allows the brain to grow without restriction. Most treated children achieve typical intelligence. They participate in sports and follow standard education paths without long-term medical limitations.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery departments like Sourasky Medical Center integrate intraoperative MRI and navigation systems into pediatric cases. This technology allows surgeons to verify the correction of the skull structure in real-time. This precision is why specialized centers report high success rates in complex reconstructive interventions. For parents, this means a significantly lower chance of needing follow-up revision surgeries as the child grows.
Patient Consensus: Parents note that initial post-surgery swelling resolves within 3 weeks. They emphasize that early treatment leads to normal school performance and social integration with only minor scarring remaining by school age.
Israel is a premier neurosurgery hub due to its fusion of high-density medical innovation and elite surgical expertise. Top facilities like Sheba Medical Center integrate AI-guided navigation and real-time intraoperative MRI. Specialized centers report 98% success rates for complex procedures including awake craniotomy and movement disorder treatments.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a clear divide between public and private options in Israel. Private centers like Assuta Medical Center perform over 92,000 operations annually and allow patients to select their specific lead surgeon. This is a vital advantage for complex cases where a specific expert like Dr. Eli Ashkenazi is preferred for his 1,000+ spine surgery record.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing original imaging on a USB for local review to streamline the surgical plan. They also note that private packages often include hotel coordination and airport transfers, making the logistics much smoother.
Israeli neurosurgeons treat a full spectrum of conditions ranging from brain and spinal tumors to complex functional disorders. Specialized centers utilize advanced technologies like Gamma Knife, deep brain stimulation, and intraoperative MRI to manage epilepsy, Parkinson disease, and cerebrovascular pathologies with high precision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli hospitals often combine specialties to handle complex cases. At Sourasky Medical Center, neurosurgeons like Dr. Zvi Lidar bridge neurosurgery and orthopedics for spinal care. This multidisciplinary approach allows clinics to perform 34,000+ operations annually. Choosing a facility with this crossover expertise often leads to more comprehensive treatment plans for degenerative diseases.
Patient Consensus: Patients value the ability to access specialized treatments like fluorescence-guided surgery for tumors which are often unavailable elsewhere. Many note that the staff is fluent in English and provides clear communication through teleconsultations before traveling.
Israel is home to world-renowned neurosurgery centers like Sourasky Medical Center, Sheba Medical Center, and Hadassah Medical Center. These facilities are globally ranked for treating complex brain tumors, spinal disorders, and movement diseases. They utilize advanced technologies like Gamma Knife, robotic systems, and intra-operative MRI.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that while most patients focus on Tel Aviv, Rambam Medical Center in Haifa offers unique expertise in neuro-trauma. It operates a specialized neuro-ICU and serves nearly 1 million patients annually. This makes it an essential choice for complex post-trauma brain surgeries that requires intensive recovery support.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to start consultations early. They often highlight that the precision and follow-up care for complex brain tumors exceeded their expectations. One patient emphasized how quickly they could connect with top professors for second opinions during critical neurosurgical cases.
Israel's leading neurosurgeons include Prof. Zvi Ram, Prof. Shlomi Constantini, and Prof. Itzhak Fried at Sourasky Medical Center. These specialists hold leadership roles in the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN). They utilize advanced intraoperative mapping and robotic systems.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky and Sheba indicates a strong correlation between high surgical volumes and patient safety. For example, Sourasky performs 34,000+ operations annually with a 90% oncology success rate. Patients seeking complex tumor removals should prioritize centers like these where surgeons perform hundreds of specific cases each year.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the importance of finding a surgeon who specializes specifically in your condition rather than a generalist. Many note that high-volume centers provide better access to English-speaking staff and coordinated care for international visitors.
International neurosurgery patients in Israel must provide comprehensive medical records including recent MRI or CT scans translated into English. Admission requires a clinical review by specialists to confirm treatment feasibility. Hospitals often mandate full advance payment or a significant deposit before confirming surgery dates or issuing visa support letters.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top Israeli facilities like Sheba Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center handle massive patient volumes, exceeding 1,000,000 people annually. This high demand means clinics prioritize complex or rare cases over routine procedures. Patients with unique or high-risk conditions often receive faster admission approval than those seeking standard treatments available elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that having all imaging results ready in English is essential for quick scheduling. Many emphasize that while the medical care is excellent, coordinating around Shabbat closures is necessary to avoid unexpected diagnostic delays.
A standard stay for neurosurgery in Israel ranges from 10 to 14 days for uncomplicated cases. Patients undergoing complex procedures like brain tumor removal or deep brain stimulation often require 4 to 6 weeks. This timeline covers pre-operative diagnostics, the surgical procedure, and essential post-operative monitoring.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky Medical Center shows they treat over 400,000 patients annually with high success rates. Clinics with such high volumes, like Hadassah or Assuta, often have streamlined discharge protocols. This helps international patients transition to hotel-based recovery faster while maintaining access to top specialists.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is vital not to rush home too early. Some travelers extended their stay to 3 weeks due to swelling or to ensure they received final surgeon clearance before flying.
Israeli neurosurgery uses robotic guidance, real-time 3D imaging, and incisionless technologies to minimize physical trauma. Systems like Mazor Robotics provide sub-millimeter precision for spine implants. MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treats tremors without incisions. These advanced tools ensure high accuracy and reduce recovery times.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli clinics like Sourasky or Hadassah integrate proprietary Israeli-born technologies like Surgical Theater before they hit global markets. Our data shows these centers often use VR flight-through models for pre-surgical planning. This allows surgeons to rehearse complex cases, which is a key factor in their 90% success rates.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that technologies like the Gamma Knife allowed them to return home in days rather than weeks. Many move from traditional 10cm incisions to cuts under 2cm when using robotic-assisted systems.
Israel is a global leader in neurosurgery due to its integration of proprietary medical innovations and internationally trained specialists. High-capacity centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) perform over 34,000 annual surgeries. Patients access advanced techniques like awake craniotomy and MR-guided focused ultrasound.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery stands out because of the high concentration of dually certified experts. Many top surgeons, such as Dr. Zvi Lidar, are certified to practice in both Israel and the USA. This ensures that patients receive American-standard surgical care while staying in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Our data shows that private centers like Assuta offer significantly faster access to these specific specialists compared to the public system.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to confirm a surgeon's specific volume of cases for your exact condition. They also value the ability to get expert second opinions quickly through online consultations with world-renowned professors.
Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) are among the best neurosurgery hospitals in Israel. These JCI-accredited facilities perform thousands of operations annually. They utilize advanced technologies like CyberKnife and intraoperative MRI to treat complex brain tumors and cerebrovascular lesions.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top Israeli centers like Sourasky and Hadassah perform over 40,000 total operations yearly. This high volume allows surgeons to maintain a 90% success rate even in complex oncology cases. Patients seeking robotic spine surgery or deep brain stimulation should focus on these high-capacity municipal centers for the most experienced teams.
Patient Consensus: Patients appreciate that some hospitals quickly coordinate consultations even during regional strikes. Families of pediatric patients especially value surgeons trained at prestigious international institutions.
Israel's leading neurosurgeons include Professor Zvi Ram, Professor Shlomi Constantini, and Professor Itzhak Fried at Sourasky Medical Center. These experts specialize in awake craniotomy, pediatric brain tumors, and functional mapping. Most hold JCI accreditation and international fellowships from institutions like Johns Hopkins and Yale.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top-tier Israeli neurosurgeons, such as those at Sourasky Medical Center, often hold dual board certifications in Israel and the US. This unique crossover ensures patients receive American-standard protocols. These specialists typically manage over 34,000 annual operations, providing high-volume clinical experience that smaller private clinics cannot match.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that highly qualified doctors like Professor Shlomo Constantini provide satisfactory answers quickly. People emphasize that outcomes often depend on the hospital’s integrated resources rather than just a doctor's prestige.
Israel is a global leader in neurosurgery, treating complex brain and spinal conditions using robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques. Highly specialized units at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and Hadassah Medical Center focus on neuro-oncology, pediatric neurosurgery, and functional procedures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgical departments often function as rapid-response hubs for international patients. Data shows that large centers like Sourasky, which serves 1,800,000 patients annually, can organize expert video consultations in a very short time. This speed is critical for neuro-oncology cases where starting treatment a few days earlier significantly impacts outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Israeli teams often accept high-risk cases that other hospitals decline. They emphasize the importance of using local coordinators to manage travel logistics or potential local disruptions during their two-week stay.
International patients traveling to Israel for neurosurgery require a valid passport, an entry permit or medical visa, and a formal hospital invitation. You must provide recent MRI or CT scans in DICOM format and detailed medical summaries. Proof of private health insurance and financial stability are also mandatory for border entry.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top neurosurgeons at Hadassah Medical Center and Sourasky often request records 4–6 weeks before arrival. Submitting these early prevents appointment shifts. High-volume centers with over 30,000 annual operations have dedicated portals for secure DICOM file uploads. Using these ensures your surgeon reviews high-quality images before you land in Tel Aviv.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing physical copies and digital backups of all scans on a USB drive. They also note that private insurance needs pre-authorization specifically for neurosurgery to avoid payment delays at the clinic.