Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Ofer Merimsky
41 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
Melanoma surgery in Israel typically costs from $6,500 to $11,000. Final pricing depends on the tumor stage, surgical technique, and the chosen medical facility. In the United States, similar procedures cost around $10,000 on average. Patients save around 35% compared to US prices. Inclusions often cover the surgical procedure, specialist consultations, and standard preoperative diagnostics at major centers in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Expert care in Israel often includes access to world-renowned researchers. Hadassah Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center are both JCI-accredited and ranked by Newsweek. While surgery starts around $6,500, choosing departments led by Forbes-listed specialists like Dr. Dov Zippel ensures high-tier precision. For advanced cases, budgeting for immunotherapy at Shaba may be the smartest move for long-term outcomes.
Why do patients choose Israel for melanoma surgery?
Access advanced Melanoma surgery solutions in trusted clinics from $6,500.
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Melanoma surgery | ≈ $6,500 | from $4,000 | ≈ $9,500 |
| Wide excision of melanoma | from $7,000 | from $4,400 | ≈ $2,600 |
| Topical therapy of melanoma | ≈ $4,500 | ≈ $1,800 | ≈ $1,800 |
| Mohs microsurgery | from $4,300 | from $26,900 | ≈ $1,500 |
Day 1 - Arrival
Day 2 - Pre-Operation
Day 3 - Surgery
Day 4-7 - Post-Operation
Week 1-2 - Rehabilitation
Week 3-6 - Rehabilitation
Please note that these timelines may vary depending on individual recovery rates and the complexity of the surgery.
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Prof. Merimsky heads the Soft Tissue and Bone Oncology Unit at Sourasky Medical Center, specializing in complex melanoma cases.
Dr. Dov Zippel is a surgical oncologist and head of the Meirav Breast Center. Forbes Israel named him to its Best Doctors list in 2025. He treats benign and malignant breast tumors and melanoma at Sheba Medical Center. Dr. Zippel completed a surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Calgary in Canada.
Prof. Eli Sprecher heads the Department of Dermatology at Sourasky Medical Center – Israel's largest hospital. Specializes in genetic dermatological conditions.
Choosing Israel for melanoma surgery ensures access to world-leading oncologists and breakthrough research protocols. Israeli facilities like Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center utilize multidisciplinary care, offering specialized procedures like Mohs microsurgery and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes therapy for complex or metastatic cases.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers demonstrate elite efficiency by concentrating diagnosis and surgical planning into a 72-hour window. While early-stage surgeries are standard, Israel’s true advantage is for Stage IV melanoma patients. Centers like Hadassah use patient-derived tissues to develop personalized immunotherapies not available elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients value Israel as a top destination for refractory melanoma when standard treatments fail. They specifically highlight the availability of experimental TIL trials and nano-vaccine research as life-changing options.
Surgeons in Israel perform wide local excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and lymph node dissection to treat melanoma. Specialized facilities also offer Mohs micrographic surgery for facial tumors and isolated limb infusion for advanced cases. Leading JCI-accredited centers in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem integrate these surgeries with neoadjuvant immunotherapy.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers like Sourasky Medical Center manage 40,000 cancer patients yearly, creating a high-volume environment for rare melanoma subtypes. This scale allows surgeons to offer slow-Mohs and neoadjuvant therapies that shrink tumors before surgery. These combined approaches often make complex cases treatable while improving aesthetic outcomes for patients.
Patient Consensus: Patients value how Israeli specialists prioritize tissue preservation, especially for facial melanoma, by utilizing precise Mohs techniques. Many also appreciate the seamless integration of surgical plans with personalized immunotherapy trials for advanced stages.
International patients seeking melanoma surgery in Israel follow a streamlined process involving digital case review, financial planning, and specialized oncological consultation. Patients typically submit translated medical records for evaluation by multidisciplinary teams at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky or Assuta to confirm treatment eligibility before traveling.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers like Sourasky Medical Center manage high patient volumes, treating 40,000 cancer cases annually. This concentration of expertise allows for specialized techniques like isolated limb perfusion that are often unavailable at smaller regional clinics. When choosing a facility, prioritize those offering both surgical and advanced immunotherapy options under one roof to ensure a seamless transition if your treatment plan changes after the initial biopsy.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize contacting medical tourism departments directly since standard local pathways are unavailable. Success relies on having digital records ready for upload to secure a quick 24-hour response for virtual reviews.
Israel utilizes advanced multidisciplinary approaches to minimize scarring during melanoma surgery, including Mohs microsurgery and integrated plastic surgery reconstruction. Specialized centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and Hadassah Medical Center employ techniques like elliptical excision and tension-relief systems to ensure optimal functional and aesthetic healing.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many clinics offer laser scar revision 12 months post-surgery, the most effective aesthetic results in Israel stem from the initial surgical setup. Choosing a facility like Hadassah Medical Center, where surgeons like Dr. Meni Brakha perform immediate reconstruction using local flaps, significantly reduces the need for secondary scar correction procedures later.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that success depends on diligent sun protection and massage techniques after stitches are removed. Many recommend verifying that your surgical team includes a dedicated plastic surgeon for the closure phase.
PET/CT scans are widely available in Israel as the gold-standard diagnostic tool for staging melanoma and detecting metastasis. Major JCI-accredited clinics in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem utilize advanced imaging to guide multidisciplinary surgical plans, ensuring accurate identification of tumor spread before complex lymph node procedures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many facilities offer imaging, Assuta Medical Center differentiates itself by completing the entire PET-CT diagnostic cycle in under 72 hours. This speed is critical for melanoma patients, as it allows surgeons like Dr. Dov Zippel to move from diagnosis to surgical intervention without delay, which is a key factor in improving long-term outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that while PET-CT highlights metabolic activity, a biopsy remains mandatory to confirm findings. Many noted that positive scan results occasionally reflect inflammation rather than cancer spread.
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.