Spina bifida (cleft spine) treatment in Istanbul — get 3 personalized clinic matches

Memorial Şişli Hospital in Istanbul is one of Turkey’s leading multidisciplinary medical centers, operating on a 53,000 m² area with 252 beds, 13 operating rooms, and advanced intensive care units. Opened in 2000, it became the first hospital in Turkey and the 21st worldwide to earn Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, confirming world-class standards.

The hospital is recognized for its expertise in oncology, organ and bone marrow transplantation (90% organ transplant success rate), IVF, neurosurgery, bariatric surgery, robotic surgery, and genetics. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and specialized centers, Memorial Şişli attracts patients from 167 countries each year, combining top-level medical care with Istanbul’s unique cultural and travel opportunities.

Prof. Serdar Kahraman heads the neurosurgery department with 33 years of experience. The JCI-accredited center collaborates with Johns Hopkins Medicine. Diagnostics start with a neurosurgeon consultation for around $110 and include MRI 3.0T for around $700. Intramedullary tumor resection surgery may cost around $30,000 for the procedure, pre-op tests, and pathology.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Basri Çakıroğlu has 31 years of pediatric urology experience with 900+ procedures. His JCI-accredited clinic uses two-stage sacral neuromodulation for neurogenic bladder control. A neurosurgeon consultation may cost around $160. Tethered cord release surgery is around $10,425, which includes laminectomy plates, EMG monitoring, and a corset. The bladder pacemaker process runs $8,060–$19,050.

Assoc Prof Akin Akakin has 26 years of experience of specialized neurosurgery experience, holding a doctorate from Florida University. The Johns Hopkins-affiliated hospital provides JCI and ISO accreditation. Consultations start around $140. Tethered cord release surgery typically costs $15,200–$15,400 and includes a 4-day stay with transfers. A comprehensive spina bifida surgery runs around $15,400, covering laminectomy, duraplasty, and 3–4 days of hospitalization.

Dr. Zafer Orkun Toktas specializes in microscopic tethered cord release, with 17 years of experience performing 1,100+ neurosurgical procedures at JCI-accredited Memorial Ataşehir. A consultation starts from $180, with an MRI costing $700–800. The tethered cord release package runs around $23,000, which includes microscopic surgery, neuro-monitoring, and a 7-8 day hospital stay. Meningomyelocele repair with a VP shunt costs around $29,500 for complete microsurgical repair.