Best Spina bifida (cleft spine) doctors in Israel: TOP 5 doctors

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Zvi Cohen

New
32 years of experience
Location: Israel, Ramat Gan
Clinic:
5.0
Sheba Medical Center
Prof. Zvi Cohen is Director of the Neurosurgery Department and the Neuro-Oncology Unit at Sheba Medical Center. He is a neurosurgeon and neuro-oncology expert. He was included in Forbes Israel’s Best Doctors 2025. He leads clinical research on drug therapies for malignant brain tumors. He also founded Sheba’s brain tumor tissue bank.

He is board-certified in neurosurgery. He trained at Tel Aviv University. He completed fellowships in neuroradiology at Beth Israel and in neurosurgical oncology at MD Anderson. His practice covers complex brain, pituitary, spine, and spinal cord tumors. He has expertise in stereotactic biopsies, image-guided resections, intraoperative MRI, navigation systems, and radiosurgery. He is a member of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the Israeli Association of Neurological Surgeons.
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Alon Friedlander

New
27 years of experience
Location: Israel, Ramat Gan
Clinic:
5.0
Sheba Medical Center
Dr. Alon Friedlander, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and a spine and scoliosis specialist for adults and children. He is the Director of the Orthopedic Department at Sheba Medical Center. He is also an Associate Professor of Orthopedics at Tel Aviv University. He is listed by Forbes among Israel’s Top Doctors.

He treats complex spine disorders with minimally invasive and open surgery. His procedures include anterior and posterior fixation. His focus areas are scoliosis and other deformities, tumors, stenosis and instability, and disc herniation. Education: MD, Tel Aviv University; residency, Sheba Medical Center. Fellowships: Institut Mutualiste Montsouris and University Hospitals of Strasbourg (France); Queen Mary Hospital and the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital (Hong Kong).

Advisory roles: IDF referral physician. Consultant to soccer teams. Specialist for the Spartak Basketball Club (knee injuries).
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Professor Shimon Rochkind

5 Excellent • 1 review
47 years of experience
accreditation:
Location: Israel, Tel Aviv
Clinic:
4.5
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
One of Israel's top neurosurgeons with 47 years of experience of experience – Prof. Rochkind specializes in Spina bifida treatment at Sourasky Medical Center.
- Expert in peripheral nerve microsurgery and minimally invasive techniques
- Trained at leading hospitals in Canada, Germany, and South Africa
- Heads the Israeli Society of Laser Neurotechnologies
- Uses modern laser and bioengineering technologies for safer surgeries
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5 Excellent

1 review

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Margalit Navo

New
32 years of experience
Location: Israel, Tel Aviv
Clinic:
4.5
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Prof. Margalit Navo has performed 70+ meningioma surgeries and 100+ skull base tumor removals at Ichilov Medical Center.
- Heads the Neurosurgery Department at Ichilov
- Specializes in minimally invasive endoscopic skull tumor removal
- Trained in advanced surgical techniques in the US
- Member of Israel Neurosurgical Society and North American Skull Base Society
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Joseph Guilbord

New
Location: Israel, Haifa
Clinic:
5.0
Rambam Medical Center
Leads the Pediatric Neurosurgery Department at Rambam Medical Center – a key center for advanced childhood neurological care.
- Focuses exclusively on neurosurgical conditions in children
- Experienced in managing complex spinal cases from birth
- Oversees a specialized department dedicated to pediatric care
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Bookimed Insights: Top Spina bifida (cleft spine) Specialists in Israel (2026)

Bookimed has coordinated 9 requests for Spina bifida (cleft spine) treatment in Israel, collaborating with 5 top-rated specialists. The doctors in this table are selected based on their international credentials, clinical expertise, and patient outcomes. The 2026 ranking is formed using verified data from actual patient cases and current programs from our partner clinics.

Rank	Doctor	experience	Good Fit For	What Sets Them Apart	Clinic & Location	Consultation
#1	Professor Shimon Rochkind	47 years of experience	Complex Spina bifida cases	Specializes in peripheral nerve microsurgery with advanced laser techniques. Heads the Israeli Society of Laser Neurotechnologies and trained at top international hospitals.	Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) Israel	Price on request
#2	Margalit Navo	32 years of experience	Skull base tumors	Specializes in minimally invasive endoscopic skull tumor removal – reduces healthy tissue damage for faster recovery. Heads Neurosurgery Department at Ichilov.	Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) Israel	Price on request
#3	Joseph Guilbord		Pediatric neurosurgery and complex spinal cases	Heads the dedicated Pediatric Neurosurgery Department at Rambam Medical Center – a top-tier hospital for advanced childhood neurological treatment.	Rambam Medical Center Israel	Price on request

FAQ

These FAQs come from real patients seeking medical assistance through Bookimed. Answers are given by experienced medical coordinators and trusted clinic representatives.

Is surgery for spina bifida safe in Israel?

Spina bifida surgery in Israel is safe, reporting efficacy rates between 85% and 90%. Leading centers like Sourasky and Hadassah maintain Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. Specialized surgeons use advanced neuro-monitoring and laser technologies to ensure precision and improve long-term mobility outcomes.

Expert surgical volume: Dr. Shimon Rochkind at Sourasky has performed over 900 specialized neurosurgeries.
Specialized pediatric care: Schneider Children’s features a multidisciplinary clinic for neurosurgery, orthopedics, and urology.
Advanced innovation: Israeli hospitals pioneer fetoscopic in-utero operations to correct defects before birth safely.
Safety certifications: Multiple facilities rank in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals for neurosurgery and safety.

Bookimed Expert Insight: While many countries offer postnatal repair, Israel stands out for its high-volume fetal surgery programs. Hadassah and Beilinson handle approximately 1,000,000 patient visits annually each. This massive data pool allows their surgeons to refine complex fetoscopic techniques that are still rare in other regions.

Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize finding surgeons with experience in over 100 cases to ensure the best outcomes. They often note that early aggressive follow-up with serial ultrasounds is vital for monitoring post-operative recovery.

Which hospitals in Israel specialize in spina-bifida care?

Israel offers advanced spina bifida care through JCI-accredited medical centers like Hadassah, Sourasky (Ichilov), and Sheba. These institutions provide multidisciplinary services including fetal surgery to repair spinal defects in utero. Expert neurosurgeons use neuroendoscopic methods and laser technologies for complex pediatric cases and rehabilitation.

Hadassah Medical Center: Pioneers in-utero fetal surgery to address spinal damage before birth in Jerusalem.
Sourasky Medical Center: Features specialized pediatric neurosurgeons like Professor Shimon Rochkind using minimally invasive techniques.
Sheba Medical Center: Provides integrated care through the Safra Children Hospital and specialized neuro-urology units.
Rambam Medical Center: Offers a dedicated pediatric neurosurgery department led by experts in Haifa.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers manage massive patient volumes, with Hadassah and Sourasky each serving over 1,000,000 patients annually. This high frequency allows neurosurgeons like Professor Shimon Rochkind to gain documented experience in over 35 years of practice. High-volume centers show a distinct pattern of integrating laser and bioengineering technologies into routine spinal procedures. This creates a technical edge over clinics with lower patient turnover.

Patient Consensus: Parents frequently emphasize the importance of seeking integrated teams where urologists and neurosurgeons collaborate. Patients note that fast access to tethered cord releases at private wings can be critical for long-term mobility.

What surgical options are available—open closure or fetal repair?

Israel offers open fetal surgery, fetoscopic repair, and standard postnatal surgery for spina bifida. Fetal options performed before birth significantly reduce brain shunt needs. Israeli neurosurgeons also use postnatal microsurgery to close the defect within 48 hours of delivery.

Open fetal surgery: Surgeons incision the uterus to repair the spinal cord directly.
Fetoscopic repair: Minimally invasive keyhole approach reduces maternal risks like uterine rupture.
Postnatal microsurgery: Standard procedure performed within 2 days after the baby is born.
EXIT procedure: Specialized surgery during delivery while the infant remains on placental support.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgeons often collaborate across multidisciplinary teams in tertiary centers like Tel Aviv Sourasky. High-volume centers report consistent success by integrating fetal medicine with neonatal intensive care. This reduces long-term mobility issues through early intervention strategies.

Patient Consensus: Parents emphasize that quick access to neonatal imaging determines the surgical path. Families note that coordinated care between obstetricians and neurosurgeons provides the most reassurance.

How long will we need to stay in Israel for treatment and follow-up?

International patients typically stay in Israel for 4 to 8 weeks for spina bifida treatment. This timeframe covers neurosurgical diagnostics, the procedure, and critical post-operative monitoring. Most surgical protocols require at least 14 to 21 days of local observation to manage potential complications safely.

Diagnostic phase: Initial neurosurgical consultations and imaging usually require 1 to 5 days.
Hospital stay: Expect 7 to 14 days inpatient for primary spinal cord repair.
Monitoring period: Surgeons require 2 to 4 weeks post-op to monitor for hydrocephalus.
Travel clearance: Patients generally fly home after stable wound healing and suture removal.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgeons, such as Professor Shimon Rochkind at Sourasky Medical Center, often emphasize a 35-year expertise in peripheral nerve microsurgery. Data shows that for complex spina bifida cases, clinics like Hadassah Medical Center coordinate care across multiple specialties. Patients should prioritize staying in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem for at least 3 weeks post-discharge. This proximity is vital for immediate access to specialists if intracranial pressure changes occur after spinal closure.

Patient Consensus: Families note that while the main surgery takes about 10 days, staying an extra 2 weeks for suture removal provides significant peace of mind. Many recommend booking flexible departures or local apartments, as medical teams may extend stays to monitor shunt stability or prevent infections.

What qualifications do Israeli pediatric neurosurgeons hold?

Israeli pediatric neurosurgeons hold medical degrees from top universities and undergo 5 to 7 years of specialized residency training. They must secure board certification from the Israel Medical Association. Many complete 1-2 year pediatric fellowships at leading international institutions in North America or Europe.

Medical education: Degrees from institutions like Tel Aviv University or Technion.
Specialty certification: Mandatory board certification by the Israeli Neurosurgical Society.
Advanced fellowships: Specialized pediatric training at hospitals like SickKids or Johns Hopkins.
Professional memberships: Active roles in the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli pediatric neurosurgeons at JCI-accredited centers often maintain dual specializations in neurosurgery and orthopedics. For example, Dr. Alon Friedlander at Sheba Medical Center holds credentials in both spine deformity correction and pediatric surgery. This multidisciplinary background is vital for complex spina bifida cases where spinal stability and nerve function require simultaneous expertise. Patients should look for surgeons who serve as department heads. These leaders typically manage volumes exceeding 10,000 pediatric cases annually.

Patient Consensus: Patients value doctors who have completed specialized fellowships in the US or Europe for advanced techniques like cord untethering. They note that verifying a surgeon's specific case volume for congenital defects is essential for peace of mind.

What is the typical recovery and rehabilitation pathway?

The typical recovery and rehabilitation pathway in Israel begins with acute post-operative care lasting 4 to 6 weeks. Specialists like Professor Shimon Rochkind at Sourasky Medical Center utilize advanced laser neurotechnologies to enhance nerve regeneration. This phase focuses on wound healing and stabilization before long-term multidisciplinary therapy begins.

Acute monitoring: Hospital stay for 4–6 weeks ensures initial healing and neurological stability.
Neurological follow-up: Regular checks monitor shunt function to identify and prevent potential infections.
Bladder management: Clean intermittent catheterization often starts within 3 months to prevent kidney damage.
Functional training: Physical therapy focuses on mobility, using leg braces or wheelchairs by age 3.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgical departments like those at Hadassah and Sourasky prioritize early integration of pediatric urology and orthopedics. Data shows that clinics with over 100 specialized spinal procedures yearly offer more aggressive early interventions. Patients benefit from this multidisciplinary approach because it addresses tethered cord risks and kidney health simultaneously rather than sequentially.

Patient Consensus: Parents emphasize that tracking shunt function obsessively during the first year is critical for safety. They also note that learning clean intermittent catheterization early provides long-term independence and avoids emergency visits.

Do families need to bring medical records or special equipment?

Families must provide comprehensive medical records to ensure precise treatment for spina bifida in Israel. Digital copies of MRI or CT scans and histories are required one month before arrival. Israeli medical centers provide most heavy pediatric equipment. Families should focus on packing daily medications.

Medical documentation: Provide summaries of chronic conditions like epilepsy or hydrocephalus.
Diagnostic imaging: Send recent MRI scans to specialists like those at Sourasky.
Medication list: Detail specific dosages, drug allergies, and current prescription names.
Mobility aids: Discuss heavy equipment needs with your clinic to avoid transport.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli pediatric centers like Sourasky manage high patient volumes and complex cases. Our data shows families often over-pack bulky equipment unnecessarily. While mobility aids are available, bringing digital records early is vital. This helps surgeons plan the procedure before your flight lands in Israel.

Patient Consensus: Patients note it's important to keep three printed copies of all immunization and surgical records. They also suggest emailing everything to the clinic at least a month ahead.