Best Clinics for Spina bifida (cleft spine) Treatment in the World: 67 Top-Rated Centers

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.

Dr. Bartolomé Oliver brings 49 years of neurosurgery experience, having performed over 1,100 spina bifida procedures. The JCI-accredited clinic uses a Da Vinci robot and intraoperative neural monitoring. A consultation typically costs around $660, and an MRI may run $1,030–$1,540. The surgery package, priced around $25,870–$41,160, covers the microsurgical procedure, anesthesia, and hospitalization.

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.

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.

Prof. Dr. Onur Yaman is a specialized neurosurgeon focused on spina bifida at this ISO-accredited hospital. Neurologist consultation starts from $130. Diagnostics like MRI of one area may cost $600–1,000. A comprehensive surgery package with tight spinal cord release, diastometamyelia repair, and duroplasty runs $26,000–26,500. It includes microneurosurgery, neuromonitoring, one ICU night, five ward nights, and the first follow-up.

Memorial Göztepe Hospital offers specialized care for Spina bifida (cleft spine) with a team of experienced neurosurgeons, including Dr. Mustafa Sakar, who trained in fetal Spina bifida surgery at HCor Hospital in São Paulo. The hospital features advanced neurosurgical facilities and a dedicated pediatric neurosurgery team.

Ospedale San Raffaele pioneered the world’s first intrauterine fetal surgery for spina bifida in 2018. Neurosurgery professor Mortini offers online second-opinion consultations for 410 USD. He reviews all required imaging like MRI in DICOM format. The clinic’s comprehensive spina bifida treatment program typically costs around 41,160 USD for a personalized plan.

Professor Shimon Rochkind brings 46 years of neurosurgery experience, specializing in pediatric and adult spinal conditions. He operates at the JCI-accredited Sourasky Medical Center, Israel's largest multidisciplinary facility. A consultation costs around $750–$850. This covers a detailed neurosurgical evaluation to determine a personalized surgical plan for spina bifida.

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.