Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Ofer Merimsky
41 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
Nephrectomy in Israel typically costs from $18,000. The final price depends on the surgical approach, such as laparoscopic or robotic-assisted, and the hospital's tier. Patients save around 66% compared to the US, where this procedure costs $53,000 on average. Most Israeli medical centers include pre-operative diagnostics, the surgical fee, anesthesia, and several days of hospitalization in their cost estimates.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing a specialist who utilizes 3D kidney reconstruction increases surgical precision. Dr. Vladimir Yutkin at Hadassah Medical Center is the only Israeli surgeon performing this for robotic partial nephrectomy. While robotic surgery packages at Sourasky Medical Center start around $39,150, the high success rate often reduces long-term costs. Many top doctors are featured in Forbes, providing world-class care at JCI-accredited facilities.
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Nephrectomy | from $18,000 | from $6,600 | ≈ $14,500 |
| Nephrectomy with Da Vinci Robot | ≈ $24,000 | from $18,500 | ≈ $17,500 |
| Kidney-sparing surgery | from $18,000 | from $7,000 | ≈ $20,000 |
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Please note that each patient"s recovery timeline might vary depending on individual health conditions and the complexity of the surgical procedure.
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Head of the Soft Tissue and Bone Oncology Unit at Sourasky Medical Center – Prof. Merimsky specializes in complex sarcoma cases.
Prof. Ofer Yossefovitz specializes in laparoscopic and robotic nephrectomy at Sourasky Medical Center, with over 32 years of urological surgery experience.
Dr. Barak Rosenzweig directs the Urological Oncology Service at Sheba Medical Center in Israel. He is a surgeon who has been listed among Israel’s Best Doctors by Forbes. Dr. Rosenzweig specializes in treating tumors of the prostate, kidney, bladder, and testis. He focuses on robotic and minimally invasive cancer surgery to preserve organ function.
Dr. Stepfansky directs oncology hospitalization at Tel Aviv Medical Center – Ichilov, specializing in nephrectomy and other oncological procedures.
When considering Nephrectomy, it’s important to understand the different techniques and which is best suited for you. Here’s a concise comparison of popular options:
Renal resection involves removing part of the kidney to treat conditions like tumors while preserving kidney function.
This procedure involves the robotic-assisted removal of a kidney using the Da Vinci surgical system for precision and minimally invasive operation.
Israel offers partial, radical, and simple nephrectomy using advanced robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, and open surgical approaches. Surgeons at JCI-accredited centers specialize in kidney-sparing techniques for tumors under 7 cm, frequently employing the da Vinci surgical system to minimize hospital stays and enhance precision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers demonstrate high technical proficiency in converting complex cases between approaches. While robotic surgery is the gold standard for recovery, Rabin Medical Center handles 60% of the country’s transplants, signaling deep expertise in complex vascular and kidney anatomy that translates to safer radical procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients prioritize kidney-sparing surgery to protect long-term health. They value robotic options for significantly faster recovery but acknowledge that open surgery remains a reliable safety backup for complex tumor locations.
Top specialists for robotic nephrectomy in Israel include Professor Ofer Yossefovitz and Professor Roksana Klepper at Sourasky Medical Center, alongside Dr. Barak Rosenzweig at Sheba Medical Center. These surgeons utilize the Da Vinci surgical system for kidney-sparing procedures and complex urologic cancer treatments.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli specialists often hold dual certifications from the USA and Europe. Many, like Dr. Nir Kleinmann and Professor Ofer Yossefovitz, completed fellowships at Memorial Sloan Kettering. This creates a high concentration of US-level expertise in Tel Aviv clinics.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize verifying that surgeons use the Da Vinci system specifically. High value is placed on surgeons with international fellowships from top-tier American cancer centers.
Success rates for nephrectomy in Israel reach 95% for cancerous conditions, particularly when treated at JCI-accredited oncology centers. Surgeons utilize robotic-assisted systems and laparoscopic techniques to maximize precision, resulting in low recurrence rates and high 5-year survival outcomes for localized kidney tumors.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers like Sourasky and Sheba specialize in complex cases that other regions might decline. Professor Offer Yossefovitz and others focus on robotic kidney-sparing surgery to avoid total organ removal. This technical focus on partial nephrectomy helps patients maintain long-term renal health without compromising cancer-free outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the importance of seeking second opinions to explore partial kidney removal options. Success is largely tied to early detection and regular post-operative scans for 5 years.
Robotic nephrectomy using the da Vinci surgical system is widely available at premier Israeli medical centers. Top-tier hospitals like Sourasky (Ichilov) and Sheba utilize this technology for both partial and radical kidney removals, ensuring high precision through minimally invasive approaches.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israel's robotic surgery landscape is unique because many top surgeons, including Dr. Yossefovitz Ofer and Dr. Barak Rosenzweig, completed fellowships at Memorial Sloan Kettering in the USA. This means patients receive American-standard surgical expertise at costs significantly lower than US averages.
Patient Consensus: Patients value how robotic partial nephrectomy allows for faster mobility and less pain, though confirm your specific tumor size allows for a robotic approach rather than open surgery.
Nephrectomy recovery in Israel varies by technique, with minimally invasive robotic or laparoscopic procedures allowing for a short 1-to-2-night hospital stay. Most patients return to basic daily activities within 3 to 6 weeks, while full job activity typically requires 6 to 8 weeks.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israel is a primary hub for robotic-assisted surgery, with pioneers like Dr. Dorit Zilberman at Sheba Medical Center. Data shows that opting for the da Vinci system often reduces the typical 12-week open surgery recovery down to just 3–4 weeks for desk work.
Patient Consensus: Expect significant fatigue during the first month, even as mobility improves. Many mention feeling mostly normal by week 6, though internal sensations persist much longer.
Top Israeli hospitals for nephrectomy include Sourasky Medical Center, Sheba Medical Center, and Rabin Medical Center. These facilities offer advanced robotic-assisted surgery via the da Vinci system. Accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI), they provide high-success kidney-sparing and laparoscopic procedures by US-trained surgeons.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers like Sourasky and Sheba prioritize kidney-sparing surgery over total removal whenever possible. Data shows their surgeons often complete specialized fellowships at US institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering. This deep expertise allows them to handle complex cases that smaller international clinics might decline.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the high proficiency of English-speaking staff and recommend bringing complete medical files. They suggest choosing major hospital centers over smaller clinics for better surgical outcomes.
Starting a nephrectomy in Israel requires contacting a Joint Commission International-accredited hospital like Sourasky or Assuta Medical Center directly. Patients must submit CT or MRI scans and pathology reports for review by specialist urologists to determine if a robotic-assisted or laparoscopic approach is suitable.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli private oncology centers offer a significant efficiency advantage for time-sensitive cases. While public bureaucratic hurdles exist, Rabin Medical Center performs 60% of the country's organ transplants. This high volume across major centers ensures surgeons like Dr. Dorit Zilberman maintain peak proficiency in complex robotic-assisted urologic procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize prioritizing the private route to avoid long wait times. Practical advice includes planning for a 7-day post-discharge stay in-country to ensure safe recovery before flying home.
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.