Best Tomotherapy pediatric neurosurgeons in Istanbul: TOP 13 doctors

He was born in Niğde which is the city middle part of Anatolia. He studied high school in Adana. He graduated from Ankara University Medical School of Medicine. He started his career at Bakırköy Neurological Sciences Hospital in Zeki Oral MD.’s Clinic in 1987 and finished his Neurosurgery residency in 1993. During this period, he completed his micro neurosurgery education, which was a breakthrough for him, at Zurich University “Professor M. Gazi Yaşargil’s Clinic”.

Between 1993-2003, he worked as a teaching assistant and then as an assistant professor at the Professor Necmettin Pamir’s Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University. At the same time, he obtained clinical and surgical gains in the field of neurooncology and vascular neurosurgery at Professor Donlin M. Long and Daniele Rigamonti's Clinic at Johns Hopkins University, USA. In 2003, he received the title of Associate Professor of Neurosurgery.

Between 2004-2010, he worked as Chief of Clinic in Göztepe Training and Research Hospital of Ministry of Health. During this period, he led his clinic to become the only accredited clinic by EANS (The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies) in Turkey, with its educational and care services. During this period, he completed his endoscopic skull base training starting at the University of Pittsburgh.

In 2010, he started to work for Acıbadem University Faculty of Medicine and became a Professor of Neurosurgery. He established the Neurosurgery Department in Medipol University Faculty of Medicine on 2012. He served as a Head of Neurosurgery Department in Memorial Health Group Istanbul Hospitals between 2014-2018. He served Neurosurgery Department of Maslak Hospital of Acıbadem Health Group with his team between 2018- September 2021.

Since 01.10.2021, He have started to work with his team at my private clinic located in Fulya and Ulus Hospital of Liv Health Group.

He served as the founding chairman of ”Skull Base Society” in Turkey. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the European Skull Base Society (ESBS).

There are more than 110 scientific papers which he hs published in international refereed journals (SCI/SCIEx) and in national refereed journals and 18 scientific articles. He Has more than 250 scientific congress presentations, published books and chapters in books.

Education:

Medical Faculty, Trakya University,  

Edirne, Turkey (1994-2000)

Professional Experience:

General Practitioner and Emergency Physician

Bartın (2000-2004)

Specialization:  

Department of Neurosurgery, S.B. Göztepe Training and Research Hospital,  

Istanbul (2004-2010)

Participation in the Accreditation Process by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) during  

Specialization (2004-2010)

Completion of Compulsory Service as Specialist Physician

Tokat State Hospital, Tokat (2010-2012)

Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery

Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat (2012-2014)

Contribution to the Establishment of the Department of Neurosurgery at Medipol University  

(2012-2014)

Lecturer

Medipol University, Istanbul (2012-2014)

Specialist Physician

Memorial Istanbul Hospitals, Istanbul (2014-2018)

Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences

Eurasia University, Istanbul (2014-2021)

Associate Professor in the field of Neurosurgery (2021- )

Specialist Physician

Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, Istanbul (2018-2021)

Specialist Physician

Liv Hospital Ulus, Istanbul (2021-2023)

2023 –

Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul

Skills and Achievements:

Obtained Associate Professorship in the field of Neurosurgery (2021)

Experience in Academic Teaching and Management (2012-2021)

Proficiency in Turkish (Native) and English (Advanced)

Certificates

1. The Course of Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, 1990, Oulu, Finland.

2. European Course participation that holds by EANS for 5 years cycle (Amsterdam/1988, Rostock/1989, Çeşme/1994, Klagenfurt/1995, Aalborg/1996).

3. "Primary Examination" for European Board was passed in Klagenfurt,1995, Austria.

4."Advanced Training on Functional Disorders with Leksell Gamma Knife", 2004, Marseille, France.

5. "Advanced Training on Vestibular Schwannomas and Skull Base Surgery wiyh Leksell Gamma Knife", 2004, Marseille, France.

6. The certificate for "DISC Nucleoplasty in Cervical and Lumbar Disc Diseases", 2004, Freiburg, Germany.

7. "Neuropathfinder" Train - the - Trainer Meeting, 2009, Wien, Austria.

8. " Neuropathfinder" Train - the - Trainer Meeting, 2011, Athens, Greece.

9. The certificate for "Full- Endoscopic Spine Surgery", 2011, Herne, Germany.

Education and Expertise

GATA Military Medical Faculty

GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital Neurosurgery Clinic (Specialization)

Beykent University Hospital and Health Institutions Management (Master's)

Experience

GATA Military Medical Faculty Trainee Doctor (6 months)

Samsun Sahara Medical School Comm. (3 months)

Naval Command War Squadron TCG Diligence Medical Officer (2 years)

Dz.K.K. Submarine Battery Factory Infirmary Doctor (3 months)

Naval Forces Command Infirmary Doctor (3 months)

GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital Chief Assistant (12 years)

Kasımpaşa Marine Hospital Neurosurgery Clinic Chief (5 years)

Bahçelievler Medical Park Hospital Neurosurgery Specialist (11 years)

Altınbaş University Faculty of Medicine Neurosurgery Lecturer. Member (4 years)

Altınbaş University Faculty of Medicine Head of Neurosurgery Department. (3 years)

Basic and Advanced Cardiac life support courses (BASIC)

Basic and Advanced Cardiac life support courses (ADVANCED)

GATA Military Medical Faculty. Microsurgery Training Course

Istanbul Vatan Hospital Hand surgery microsurgery course

Neuroanatomy course

Spine Surgery course

Professional Memberships

Turkish Neurosurgery Association

Spine Society of Europe

Turkish Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group

Mustafa Solak, M.D. is a medical doctor who graduated from Hacettepe University School of Medicine and has completed residencies at Istanbul Sisli Etfal Teaching and Research Hospital and a fellowship at Hacettepe University Cancer Institute. He specializes in Breast Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Lung Cancer, Head-Neck Cancer, and Gastrointestinal Cancers. He has also worked at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Hitit University Corum Training Hospital, and Medical Park Hospital.

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)

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