Best Spina bifida (cleft spine) pediatric neurosurgeons in Istanbul: TOP 20 doctors

Dr Gökalp Silav is a highly-regarded pediatric and adult neurosurgeon with over 400 brain and spine surgeries performed annually. He specializes in brain and spine tumor removals, epilepsy surgery, and congenital conditions correction. He uses state-of-the-art neuronavigation equipment such as Brainlab to ensure precision and reduces damage to healthy tissues. He is a member of The Turkish Medical Association and The Turkish Neurosurgical Society and has trained at some of the largest neurology institutions in the world.

EDUCATION:

• Turhan and Mediha Tansel Primary School (1979–1984)
• Kültür College (1984–1988)
• Semiha Şakir High School (1988–1991)
• Marmara University Faculty of Medicine (1991–1997)
• Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Neurosurgery Department, Specialist Training (1997–2002)
• Title of Associate Professor in Neurosurgery (May 31, 2021)

ADDITIONAL TRAINING:

• "Visiting Physician," University of Southern California, Department of Neurosurgery (1998)
• "Microsurgery Training," GATA (Gülhane Military Medical Academy), Ankara Education and Research Hospital (2003)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Gülhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpaşa Training and Research Hospital (2002–2003)
• Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital (2003–2005)
• Private Avicenna Ataşehir Hospital (2005–2012)
• Private 29 Mayıs Hospital (2012–2013)
• Maltepe State Hospital (2013–2018)
• Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital (2018–2020)
• Private Academic Hospital (2020–2022)
• Hisar Intercontinental Hospital (2022–2024)
• Private Medipol Acıbadem Regional Hospital (2024–Present)

ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC ROLES:

• Board Member, Neurosurgical Society (2006–2009)
• Head of the Emergency Department, Maltepe State Hospital (2014–2016)
• Deputy Chief Physician, Private Academic Hospital (2020–2021)
• Advisory Board Member, Beykent University Faculty of Medicine (2018–2024)
• Faculty Member, Galata University Faculty of Health Sciences (2022–2024)
• Director, Continuous Education Center, Galata University (2022–2024)

Education and Expertise

1998 - 2005 - Marmara University Faculty of Medicine

1998 - 2005 - Marmara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul

(Head of the Department: Prof Dr Türker KILIÇ)

2011 - 2012 - Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA (Director: Murat Günel MD. PhD., Professor of Neurosurgery)Cerebrovascular Research Fellowship

Professional Memberships

2014 + Turkish Neurosurgery Association

2017 + Turkish Spine Association

2018 + AOSpine

Awards

Turkish Neurosurgery Society 31st Scientific Congress “Prof. Dr. Hamit Ziya Gökalp Young Neurosurgeon Encouragement First Prize”, Antalya, 2017.

Courses and Certificates

1. Member of the Organizing Committee; 12. National Neuroscience Congress, Bahçeşehir University, 28-31 May 2014

2. Member of the Organizing Committee; 11. ASNO 'Skull-base Anatomy Course', 11-14 September 2014, Istanbul

3. Instructor / Member of the Organizing Committee; Neurosurgery Course Series – 4 /Prof. Dr. Evandro de Oliveira Skull Base Course 2, Prof. Rhoton Anatomy Lab BAU Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, 2015.

4. Member of the Organizing Committee; International Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery Microelectrode Recording Cadaver Course, Rhoton Anatomy Lab BAU Faculty of Medicine, 6-7 February 2015 Istanbul.

5. Organization Officer; TND Istanbul Meetings, Istanbul, 2015-2016

Trustworthy, attentive, successful neurosurgeon with over 34 years of experience, high rate of success and exceptional surgical skills, providing quality neurological service for patients, successfully treating over thousands of patients suffering from many severe, complex conditions of the brain, spine and the nerves. 

Experienced in performing treatment modalities like micro neurosurgery, endoscopic skull base surgery, endoscopic third ventriculostomy, minimally invasive spine surgery and percutaneous spine surgery. Keen on performing clinical research and attending national and international medical conferences to stay abreast of new technologies in the field. Compassionate and detail-oriented with excellent communication skills. Expertise in healthcare, education and program management. Adept at developing and implementing forward-thinking strategies to enhance patient outcomes and collective knowledge in the field. Desiring to bring skills and success. Focused on working closely with other medical professionals and following up with patients. Well-versed at emergency procedures and fast and accurate sanitation.

Work History

2020-01 – Current - Asst. Prof. Neurosurgeon

Istanbul Medipol University, Health Care Practice and Research Center Pendik Hospital

• He successfully treated and followed patients with cerebral hemorrhage, brain and spinal cord tumors, and patients with hydrocephalus.

• He performed transnasal pituitary surgeries with success.

• Also, many cervical lumbar and thoracic disc patients were successfully treated, and disc prosthesis were applied to some of them.

• He re-operated a degenerative spine patient who had been operated on before at another center and the patient regained his health.

• He also successfully treated patients with premature neonatal intracerebral hemorrhage.

2019-08 – 2020-01 - Neurosurgeon

Freelancer, Istanbul, Turkey

• Operated on patients' brains, spines and peripheral nerves to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases and improve patients' motor functions. Performed successful operations for complex, advanced and complicated disease of the brain and spine some of which were operated unsuccessfully at other medical centers by different neurosurgeons.

• Offered advanced knowledge, leadership abilities and technical assistance with complex surgical cases.

• Maintained admitting privileges at local hospitals and provided quality follow-up care.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times.

• Designed treatment plans for patients.

• Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Founded a spinal surgery group with orthopedic surgeons and treated very advanced and severe vertebra deformities, spine abnormalities, scoliosis.

2018-12 - 2019-08 - Neurosurgeon

Alkafeel Super Speciality Hospital, Karbala, Iraq

• Conducted up to 5 operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, and treat diseases of different areas. Performed successful operations (success rate 100 percent : 90-95) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain, spine and nerves in adults and children. (Cerebral intrinsic and extrinsic tumor surgery, posterior fossa surgery, spontaneous and traumatic intracranial hematomas, Interhemispheric 3th ventricle and lateral ventricle surgery, pontocerebellar angle tumor surgery, spinal instrumentation and fusion surgery, microdiscectomy cervical, thoracic, lumbar, pediatric cranial and spine anomaly surgery). Followed the patients postoperatively.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times.

• Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries.

• Examined 900 patients in total in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatments to them when necessary.

2015-10 - 2018-11 - Neurosurgeon

Medistate Kavacık Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

• Operated on patients' brains, spines and peripheral nerves to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat different advanced, complex severe diseases and improve patients' motor functions.

• Conducted up to operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, restore partial or full functionality and prevent and treat diseases of different areas. 

• Performed successful operations (success rate percent : 95) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain , spine and nerves in adults and children.(Brain tumor, arachnoid cyst, intracerebral hematoma, spinal stenosis, hydrocephalus, myelomeningocele).Followed the patients postoperatively. 

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries (intracerebral hematoma, intracerebral abscess).

• Examined 850 patients in total in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatment to them when necessary.

1994-03 - 2015-09 - Neurosurgeon

Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

• Supervised trainees, medical students, residents and fellows to help each achieve proficiency in field.

• Conducted up to 20 operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, restore partial or full functionality and prevent and treat diseases of different areas. Performed successful operations (success rate: %90) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain, spine and nerves in adults and children. (Skull base surgery, extended trans base approach, orbit zygomatic approach, presigmoid approach, orbital approaches, transcranial and lateral orbitotomy, Endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, CSF leakage surgery, endoscopic, microscopic and transsphenoidal, transcranial. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and surgery of multiloculated hydrocephalus and pediatric neurosurgery. Cerebral intrinsic and extrinsic tumor surgery, posterior fossa surgery. Brain aneurysm, AVM and cavernoma surgery.

• Spontaneous and traumatic intracranial hematomas. Hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia surgery (microsurgical decompression) Interhemispheric 3th ventricle and lateral ventricle surgery. Pineal area surgery. Pontocerebellar angle tumor surgery.

• Foreman magnum tumors surgery. Surgery of hydrocephaly, Syringomyelia and craniovertebral animalia).Followed the patients postoperatively.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries (Epidural, subdural and intracerebral hematoma, vertebra fracture).

• Examined 500-700 patients per day in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatment to them when necessary. Examined patients in the emergency service.

• Designed treatment plans for patients.

• Offered advanced knowledge, leadership abilities and technical assistance with complex surgical cases.

• Led and oversaw 15 medical personnel in operating room setting to perform surgeries.

• Led and oversaw medical personnel in operating room setting to perform surgeries.

Education

1982-09 - 1988-08

M.D.: Medicine And (Pre-Medicine)

Ankara University Medical School - Ankara

General Medicine Training for 6 years. Graduated with a high GPA.

1988-11 - 1994-05

Specialist Neurosurgery: Neuroscience

University of Health Sciences - Ankara

6 years of neurosurgery training.

• My thesis was on brain abscess and their clinical and laboratory evaluations

1995-05 - 1995-07

Neuroscience

The Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry.

Ankara

I attended the course for microsurgery at University of Hacettepe Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry.

1998-04 - 2019-05

Observer Doctor: Neuroscience

Department of Neurosurgery, MSU - Ann Arbour, 

Michigan USA

2012-05 - 2012-05

Neuro endoscopy: Neuroscience

Ghent University - Ghent, Belgium

International endoscopic neurosurgery workshop, 

Ghent, Belgium

I attended the workshop for endoscopic skull base operations the and Neuro endoscopic third ventriculostomy at University of Ghent Hospital

Skills

Micro neurosurgery - Excellent

Neuro endoscopy - Excellent

Cranial base endoscopy - Excellent

Minimal invasive surgery - Excellent

Percutaneous spinal surgery - Excellent

Neuronavigation – Excellent

Certifications

1995-04 Microsurgery

2012-05 Endoscopy

Languages

Turkish - Native

English - Advanced

Arabic - Novice

Affiliations

Turkish Neurosurgical Society

Turkish Medical Association

Accomplishments

• Trained team of staff nurses in medical office procedures to ensure consistent quality of care.

• Published 17 articles in national and international reviews and presented papers in medical congresses.

Interests and operations I perform

Vascular diseases of brain

Endoscopic hypophysis surgery

Tumors of brain, spine and medulla spinalis surgery

Endoscopic brain ventricle surgery

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy 

Traumas of brain and spine

Cervical, thoracic and lumbar disc hernias and narrow 

canal disease surgery

Spine instrumentation and fusion surgery

Baclofen pump and neurostimulators insertions

Hydrocephalus surgery

Congenital diseases of the brain and spine (pediatric 

neurosurgery)

Peripheral nerve surgery

Education:

Medical Specialization

Hacettepe University 2017 - 2007

Medical Specialization (Minor)

Ufuk University 2011 - 2009

Doctorate

Ankara University 2021 - 2000

Undergraduate

Ankara University 2006

Experience: 

Research Assistant

Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Institute, Ankara University

September 01, 2009 - October 08, 2021

Research Assistant

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University

February 27, 2014 - February 28, 2017

Research Assistant

Dr. Ridvan Ege Health Research and Application Center, Ufuk University

November 27, 2007 - December 09, 2011

• Specializes in spina bifida treatment using surgical repair, prenatal surgery, and multidisciplinary care.
• International training and practice at clinics and medical institutions in Turkey, including Hacettepe University and Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Training and Research Hospital.
• Holds a Bachelor in Medicine from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine (English).
• Certified in Child Health and Diseases, and Neonatology from Hacettepe University and Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Training and Research Hospital.
• Professional memberships include the Turkish Pediatric Association and the Neonatology Society of Turkey.

• Dr. Sinan Çomu specializes in spina bifida (cleft spine) treatment using advanced surgical and non-surgical methods.
• Management methods include prenatal surgery, postnatal surgery, physical therapy, and assistive devices.
• International training at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in the USA and the University of Pittsburgh.
• Member of the Turkish Neurological Society and the Child Neurology Society, maintaining up-to-date practices.
• Practices at Memorial Şişli Hospital, providing comprehensive care for infants, children, and adolescents.

• Dr. Kamran Aghayev specializes in spina bifida treatment, utilizing surgical repair, shunt placement, and prenatal surgery.
• He completed his residency in neurological surgery at Hacettepe School of Medicine, Turkey, and a Spinal Oncology Clinical Fellowship at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, USA.
• Holds multiple US patents for spinal surgery inventions, highlighting his innovative approach.
• Member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS).
• Fluent in English, Turkish, and Azerbaijani, enabling effective communication with patients from diverse backgrounds.