Best Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery neurologists in Turkey: TOP 44 doctors

KTU Faculty of Medicine 2005-2011

Izmir Ege University Faculty of Medicine Hospital Department of Brain and Nerve Surgery

2011-2017 Erzincan BY University Faculty of Medicine

2017-2023 Izmir University of Economics Medicalpark Hospital

 

AREAS OF INTEREST AND TREATMENT METHODS USED;

Spine Surgery

Lumbar hernias, (fully closed herniated disc surgery, microsurgery herniated disc surgery)

Cervical hernias (fully closed cervical disc herniation surgery, microsurgery cervical disc herniation surgery)

Spinal Fracture Treatment (open surgery and fully closed surgery = kyphoplasty vertebroplasty)

Scoliosis (Spine Curvatures)

Ankylosing Spondylitis (Hunchback)

Spine Tumors

Nerve Compression

Endoscopic (Closed Method) Brain Tumor Surgeries

Brain tumor surgery with neuronavigation

Brain Hemorrhages

Pain Intervention Procedures (Radiofrequency, Laser)

Hydrocephalus (accumulation of water in the brain)

Congenital Anomalies

Minimally Invasive Procedures and Head Traumas.

Neurosurgeon with extensive education from Marmara University, Uludag University, and Harvard Medical School. Experienced in research, state service, and teaching. Member of Turkish Neurosurgery Association, Turkish Neurosurgery Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group, Turkish Spine Association, North American Spine Society, and Nervous System Surgery Association.

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

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.

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.

Assoc. Prof.  Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz graduated from Hacettepe University in 2000 as a Medical Doctor.  She completed her specialty training in the Department of Neurology at Ankara University in 2006.

She started her compulsory service in Mardin Nusaybin State Hospital in 2007.  Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz continued her duty in Gaziantep 27 December State Hospital in 2008.  She worked as a neurologist at Biophysis Nilüfer Medical Center and Ali Osman Sönmez Oncology Hospital in Bursa between 2010-2011, and at Istanbul Universal Aksaray Hospital between 2011-2012. From October 2012, she started to work as a Doctor Lecturer in Istanbul Medipol University Neurology Department.  Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz received the title of associate professor in 2021.  In 2015, she worked as an Honorary Observer in Parkinson's Disease and Deep Brain Stimulation (Neuromodulation) at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology in London.  She took part in many training programs on Deep Brain Stimulation (Neuromodulation) in Turkey and abroad between 2013-2022.

Regarding her speciality in Parkinson's disease and movement disorders, she has 5 Tubitak projects, a 2-chapter book , 30 clinical researches and 80 reports presented in domestic and abroad. Assoc. Prof. Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, who is still working within the staff of Medipol University, managed the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Unit of the Department of Neurology during her working time and plans Deep Brain Stimulation therapy applications with the neurosurgical team.

Since September 2018, she has been working as a coordinator for student education in the 5th semester of Neurology. As of December 2022, she has developed treatment plans for patients at Medipol University Istanbul Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center (PARMER) and provides the most appropriate personal medical follow-up and treatment support for each patient.

PUBLICATIONS

1-Yilmaz N, Yigit A, Akbostanci MC. Clozapine induced epilepsy. Revue Neurologique 2004, Nov;160/11:1093.

2-Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Nursel Aydın. Sıcak Su Epilepsili Bir Olgu. Türkiye Klinikleri Nöroloji Dergisi 2004/Cilt2/Sayı 2.

3-Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Nursel Aydın. Refleks Epilepsiler. Türkiye Klinikleri Nöroloji Dergisi 2004/Cilt2/Sayı 2.

4-Mine Hayriye Sorgun, Bilge Koçer, Funda Kaplan, Nesrin Yılmaz, Nezih Yücemen, Canan Yücesan. Multipl Sklerozda Kraniyal Nöropati. Turk Norol Derg 2011;17:137-142.

5-Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Gökçen Duymaz, Mehmet Akif Yaşar. Parkinson Hastalığı Olan Bir Olguda Malign Sendrom. Turk Norol Derg 2012:18;123-125.

6-Yilmaz NH, Akbostanci MC, Oto A, Aykac O. Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in Ankara, Turkey: an analysis of diagnostic criteria and awareness. Acta Neurol Belg 2012 Oct 31. [Epub ahead of print].

7-Yılmaz NH, Bingol AP. Sensitivity and specificity of Ankara University Cerebral Dominance Inventory in comparison with the Wada test. Acta Neurol Belg 2013 Jun 6 [Epub ahead of print].

8-Sema Demirci, Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Efsun Şenocak, Fatih Han Bölükbaşı. Pons Kavernomu: Kranial Manyetik Rezonans Görüntüleme Bulguları. Turk Norol Derg 2012:19:72.

9-Nesrin Helvacı Yılmaz, Sinem Atik Güngör, Taflan Sahlepçi. Küçük hücreli akciğer kanseri tedavisinde cisplatin kullanımı sırasında gelişen akut iskemik inme: olgu sunumu. J Kartal TR. Baskıdaki Makaleler: KEAH-26937.

POSTERLER:

-Serebral venöz tromboz ve bruselloz Birlikteliği; Olgu Sunumu (42. Ulusal Nöroloji Kongresi-Antalya 2006)

-Waldenström makroglobulinemisine eşlik eden epileptik nöbetler ve nonkonvülsif status epileptikus (42. Ulusal Nöroloji Kongresi-Antalya 2006)

-Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome in Ankara, Turkey (16. Uluslararası Parkinson ve Hareket Bozuklukları Kongresi-Dublin 2012).

-Konjenital Miyastenik Sendrom (29. Ulusal Nörofizyoloji EEG-EMG Kongresi- Antalya 2013).

-Beşinci haftada duyusal iletimleri normal olan bir enjeksiyon nöropatisi olgusu (29. Ulusal Nörofizyoloji EEG-EMG Kongresi- Antalya 2013).

-Olgu sunumu: Mononöritis mültipleks ve lepra (29. Ulusal Nörofizyoloji EEG-EMG Kongresi- Antalya 2013).

-İdyopatik Parkinson Hastalığı’nda hızlanmış unutma ve uyku kalitesi (10. Ulusal Parkinson ve Hareket Bozuklukları Kongresi-Antalya 2013).

-Hiperglisemiye bağlı hemikore ve bazal gangliyon hiperintensitesi: Olgu sunumu (10. Ulusal Parkinson ve Hareket Bozuklukları Kongresi-Antalya 2013).

General Information and Presentation

He completed his primary education at Şenlikköy Primary School and his secondary education at the Istek Foundation Florya Bilge Kagan High School. He graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 2001. He completed his specialist education in Istanbul Medical Faculty Neurology Department in 2006. In 2006 he worked at the Neurology Clinic and the PharmaZentrum Research Center of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Basel, Switzerland. Between 2007 and 2011, Bakırköy Prof. Dr. He worked at Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital in the 3rd Neurology Clinic and in the Dementia and Movement Disorders policlinics. Since October 2011, he has been working at Istanbul University of Science, Faculty of Medicine, Neurology, USA.

Experience

İstanbul Bilim University Faculty of Medicine Neurology, 

Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital 

Kadıköy Florence Nightingale Hospital Neurology Clinics, 

Gayrettepe Metropolitan Florence Nightingale Hospital PET department.

Neurosurgery Training: Gazi University, Department of Neurosurgery, 2011 

H index: 10, I10 Index: 12 Citations: 296

 Dr Mehmet Tonge has international and nationwide 32 publications, 12 book chapters, 92 oral and poster presentations and 41 invited lectures, mostly on Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. 

Work & Training experience:

2004-2011: Gazi University, Department of Neurosurgery (Residency)

 2008: Zurich University Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery (Intraoperative MRI applications), Switzerland 

2008: Zurich University Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery: Microneurosurgery, white matter dissection, interventional neuroradiology courses, Switzerland 

2011 – 2012: Sinop Ataturk State Hospital, Neurosurgeon

 2012 – 2013: Cankiri State Hospital, Neurosurgeon 

2013 – 2014: Istanbul Medipol University, Department of Neurosurgery & Gamma Knife Center (Ass Prof) 

2013 – now: Maastricht University Neurosurgery & Neuroscience Department (Visiting scientist, PhDc) The Netherlands 

2014: Maastricht University, The Netherlands: Deep Brain Stimulation Fellowship 2014-2018: Istanbul Memorial Hospital Neurosurgery: Staff Neurosurgeon

 2016-2018: Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital (Consultant, Gamma Knife Center) 

2018-now: Istanbul Medipol University (Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery, Gamma Knife Center) Ass. Prof.) 

Dr Mehmet Tonge has completed 4-year cycle EANS (European Association of Neurosurgical Societies) Training courses. 

Clinical areas of interest:

 • Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery

 • Surgery for movement disorders

• * MR Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)

 • Gamma Knife Radiosurgery 

• Surgery for pain & spasticity 

• Psychosurgery

Research areas of interest: 

• Deep brain stimulation

• * MR Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)

 • Stereotactic radiosurgery 

Administrative duties:

 • Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Sterotactic & Functional Neurosurgery Section: Board member 2015- 2017 

• Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Sterotactic & Functional Neurosurgery Section: Board member (Secretary) 2017-2019

 • Turkish Skull Base Society: Board member 2016-2018

 • Turkish Skull Base Society: Supervisory board member 2018-2020

 • Deep Brain Stimulation and Movement Disorders Surgery Society: Executive Board Member, (Accountant) 2023-still 

Memberships: 

• WSSFN (World Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery Society) 

• ESSFN (European Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery Society)

 • Deep Brain Stimulation and Movement Disorders Surgery Society

 • Deep Brain Stimulation Society 

• International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society 

• Leksell Gamma Knife Society 

• EANS (European Association of Neurosurgical Societies) 

• Turkish Neurosurgical Society

• Turkish Skull Base Society

Sample Publications: 

1. Tonge M. Technological developments in electric based DBS. Deep Brain Stimulation 2024 4(36-41) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdbs.2023.12.001 

2. Akgul E, Onan HB, Islek I, Tonge M, Durmus Y, Barburoglu M, Azizova A, Erol C, Hakyemez B, Sencer S, Aydin K, Arat A. Flow diverter stents in the treatment of recanalized intracranial aneurysms. Interv Neuroradiol. 2021 Aug;27(4):481-489. doi: 10.1177/1591019921990507. Epub 2021 Jan 28. PMID: 33509011; PMCID: PMC8580529. 

3. Mulders AEP, Temel Y, Tonge M, Schaper FLWVJ, van Kranen-Mastenbroek V,Ackermans L, Kubben P, Janssen MLF, Duits A. The association between surgical characteristics and cognitive decline following deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson's disease. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2021 Jan;200:106341. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2020.106341. Epub 2020 Nov 3. PMID: 33160716. 

4. Wetzelaer P, Vlis T, Tonge M, Ackermans L, Kubben P, Evers S, Kocabicak E, Temel Y. Management of Hardware Related Infections after DBS Surgery: A Cost Analysis. Turk Neurosurg. 2018;28(6):929- 933. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.21511-17.1. PMID: 29465741. 

5. Bedirli N, Emmez G, Ünal Y, Tönge M, Emmez H. Effects of positive end- expiratory pressure on intracranial pressure during pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position in a porcine mode. Turk J Med Sci. 2017 Nov 13;47(5):1610-1615. doi: 10.3906/sag-1609-17. PMID: 29152942. 

6. Sari R, Tonge M, Bolukbasi FH, Onoz M, Baskan O, Silav G, Elmaci I. Management of Failed Cranioplasty. Turk Neurosurg. 2017;27(2):201-207. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.15395-15.0. PMID: 27593759. 

7. Tonge M, Kocabicak E, Ackermans L, Kuijf M, Temel Y. Final Electrode Position in Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery: A Comparison of Indirect and Direct Targeting Methods. Turk Neurosurg. 2016;26(6):900-903. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.13739-14.1. PMID: 27337232. 

8. Tonge M, Ackermans L, Kocabicak E, van Kranen-Mastenbroek V, Kuijf M, Oosterloo M, Kubben P, Temel Y. A detailed analysis of intracerebral hemorrhages in DBS surgeries. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2015 Dec;139:183-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2015.10.017. Epub 2015 Oct 23. PMID: 26513430. 

9. Silav G, Bölükbaşı FH, Özek E, Tönge M, Önöz M, Elmacı İ. A Simple Technique for Bone Storage after Decompressive Craniectomy in Children. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2015;50(3):161-4. doi: 10.1159/000381748. Epub 2015 May 14. PMID: 25998533. 

10. Yilmaz MB, Donmez H, Tonge M, Senol S, Tekiner A. Vertebrojugular arteriovenous fistula and pseudoaneurysm formation due to penetrating vertebral artery injury: case report and review of the literature. Turk Neurosurg. 2015;25(1):141-5. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.8247-13.1. PMID: 25640560. 

11. Kurt G, Tönge M, Çeltıkçı E, Çapraz I, Serdaroğlu A, Bılır E. Surgery for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy: experience of a single institution. Turk J Med Sci. 2014;44(5):866-70. doi: 10.3906/sag-1307- 30. PMID: 25539559. 

12. Yılmaz MB, Tönge M, Emmez H, Kaymaz F, Kaymaz M. Neuroprotective effects of quetiapine on neuronal apoptosis following experimental transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2013 Jul;54(1):1-7. doi: 10.3340/jkns.2013.54.1.1. Epub 2013 Jul 31. PMID: 24044072; PMCID: PMC3772279. 

13. Yilmaz MB, Egemen E, Tonge M, Kaymaz M. Transoral protrusion of a peritoneal catheter due to gastric perforation 10 years after a ventriculoperitoneal shunting: case report and review of the literature. Turk Neurosurg. 2013;23(2):285-8. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.4904-11.1. PMID: 23546921. 

14. Omerhodzic I, Tonge M, Matos B, Musabeliu E, Raspanti C, Ferdinandov D, Galimova R, Muroi C, Balik V, Kursumovic A. Neurosurgical training programme in selected European countries: from the young neurosurgeons' point of view. Turk Neurosurg. 2012;22(3):286-93. doi: 10.5137/1019- 5149.JTN.5133-11.0. PMID: 22664994. 

15. Ergun E, Kurt G, Tonge M, Aytar H, Tas M, Baykaner K, Ceviker N. Effects of phenytoin sodium on dura mater healing in a rat model of CSF leakage. Turk Neurosurg. 2011;21(4):471-6. PMID: 22194102. 

16. Emmez H, Tonge M, Tokgoz N, Durdag E, Gonul I, Cevıker N. Radiological and histopathological comparison of microporous polysaccharide hemospheres and oxidized regenerated cellulose in the rabbit brain: a study of efficacy and safety. Turk Neurosurg. 2010 Oct;20(4):485-91. doi: 10.5137/1019- 5149.JTN.3300-10.2. PMID: 20963698. 

17. Emmez H, Yildirim Z, Kale A, Tönge M, Durdağ E, Börcek AO, Uçankuş LN, Doğulu F, Kiliç N, Baykaner MK. Anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects of α-lipoic acid on spinal cord ischemiareperfusion injury in rabbits. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2010 Sep;152(9):1591-600; discussion 1600-1. doi: 10.1007/s00701-010-0703-9. Epub 2010 Jun 10. PMID: 20535507. 

18. Kurt G, Tonge M, Börcek AO, Karahacioglu E, Gurel O, Baykaner K, Ceviker N, Aykol S. Fractionated gamma knife radiosurgery for optic nerve tumors: a technical report. Turk Neurosurg. 2010 Apr;20(2):241-6. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.1681-09.3. PMID: 20401852. 

19. Emmez H, Kale A, Tönge M, Cakir A, Ceviker N. Two meningiomas with different histological grades in the same patient. Case report. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2010;50(8):686-8. doi: 10.2176/nmc.50.686. PMID: 20805656.

Prof. Erkan Kaptanoğlu, M.D. was born in Balikesir, Turkey in 1966. After completing his primary school, secondary school and high school education in Balikesir, he graduated from Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine in 1990. He completed his internship at Peterborough District Hospital and Lincoln County Hospital in the United Kingdom. After a year of compulsory medical service, he completed his residency, which he had started in 1992, at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital in 1997 and became a Neurosurgery Specialist. After being assigned at the same hospital as Chief Resident in the same year, he studied “spinal cord injury and spinal cord regeneration” as a “research fellow” alongside Prof. Charles Tator, M.D., at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1998-1999. After returning from Canada in 1999, he was tasked by the Ministry of Health to establish a Field Hospital and to work in cooperation with the Turkish Red Crescent Society at Hakkari, Şemdinli for two months. Following this assignment, he volunteered to work for the 1999 Marmara Earthquake relief effort.

He became an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery in 2004. He earned the title Doctor of Science (Ph.D.) by completing a doctorate program on Advanced Neuroscience between 2000-2005, at Hacettepe University Institute of Medical Sciences. He joined the project for autologous stem cell therapy in human spinal cord injuries with the Departments of Neurosurgery and Hematology at the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine. In 2009, he was appointed as Deputy Chief to the 1st Neurosurgery Clinic at the Ankara Numune Hospital, where he had been working.

At this hospital, in which he worked until 2010, he supervised and attended complex cranial, pediatric, spinal, trauma and vascular neurosurgery operations. He continued his academic research at Ankara University, Department of Anatomy and research laboratories of Ankara University and Hacettepe University for the purpose of developing strategies for complex spinal surgery operations.

With his research on spinal cord injuries and spinal anatomy, he won many awards such as the Acibadem Hospital Medical Research Award, 1st Place in 2000, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Dr. Mahir Tevruz Scientific Research Award, Tübitak and Brain Research Society Wheyt Award in 2001, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Hamit Ziya Gokalp Young Neurosurgeons Research Award, 2nd Place in 2002, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Yildiz Yalcinlar Scientific Research Award in 2004.

In 2010, he went to Cyprus to found the Near East University Faculty of Medicine Hospital with the guidance of Hacettepe University, and was appointed as full Professor. Between 2010-2015, he served as the Founder and Head of Department at the Near East University and Founder and Deputy Chief Physician at the University Training and Research Hospital in TRNC.

In 2000-2001, he served as a member of the editorial board for Türk Nöroşirurji Dergisi and Turkish Neurosurgery journal. Between the years 2001-2006, he served as an assistant editor for Türk Nöroşirurji Dergisi and Turkish Neurosurgery journals. In 2002-2003, he served as the Chairman of the Young Neurosurgeons Committee under the Turkish Neurosurgical Society. He was elected to the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors to serve between 2003-2009. In 2013, he was again elected as a member to the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors. In 2015, he became the Chairman of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors. In 2018, he was elected as a member to the Board of Turkish Neurosurgery Academy.

In 2015, he was appointed to the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery and was elected as the Head of Department. During the same period, he also served as the Director of the Institute of Neuroscience. In 2018, he completed his tenure as the Head of Department. Reaching the end of this tenure in 2019, he retired from his duties as the Director of the Institute of Neuroscience and as a Member of the Faculty of Medicine. During his tenure at Marmara University, he supervised and accompanied surgical operations for complex cases from cranial patients to brain tumors (gliomas, meningiomas and hypophysis adenomas in particular), cerebral hemorrhages, Parkinson’s disease, trauma and vascular neurosurgery. He performed complex spinal surgery operations such as surgeries for spinal deformities (e.g. scoliosis and kyphosis), thoracoscopic spinal surgeries and sacral tumor surgeries. He conducted research and experimental studies on stem cell therapy and regeneration in spinal cord injuries. Between 2019-2020, currently He continues his clinical practice and surgeries along with his local and international academic studies, from his private clinic and Istanbul Brain and Spine Center.

He has attended numerous national and international courses and meetings as an instructor and speaker, was a guest speaker in over 100 events and conferences. He has published 65 international, 35 national scientific articles, edited 7 books, written 52 book chapters. He has served in the organizational committee 5 times in international meetings and 22 times in national meetings.

He is a member of the Turkish Medical Association, Turkish Cypriot Medical Association, Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Turkish Spine Society, EUROSPINE, AO Spine, Turkish Neurosurgery Academy.

Medical Area of Interest and Activities 

Functional Neurosurgery (Parkinson’s, Deep Brain Stimulation) 

Brain and Spinal tumors 

Spinal degenerative diseases Education 

Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine 

Trakya University Faculty of Medicine Brain and Nerve Surgery

Experience 

Ankara Gülhane Military Medical Academy Brain and Nerve Surgery 

Osmaniye State Hospital 

Bolu State Hospital 

Private Taksim German Hospital 

Taksim Training and Research Hospital 

Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine Brain and Nerve Surgery 

Liv Hospital Ulus

Memberships 

Turkish Neurosurgery Society 

Turkish Medical Association

Assoc. Prof. Ali Zirh is a world renowned neurosurgeon from Turkey. He was born on October 8, 1960 in Ankara, Türkiye and completed his primary and secondary education in the same city. He graduated from Ankara Atatürk High School with first place, and he entered the Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine. He graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine on August 31st, 1983 as a medical doctor. Between the years 1983 and 1985, he carried out his state service obligation in Gaziantep and was rewarded with a commendation by the Provincial Authority for his work in this period. He completed his military service in Istanbul in 1987 and was discharged.

In 1988, he started his specialization at Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery. In 1990, he attended the British Council in Glasgow and Edinburgh; the European Neurosurgery Association (EANS) in Warnemünde, Germany in 1989; Zaragoza, Spain in 1991; Jerusalem, Israel in 1992; Brudge, Belgium in 1993; and in 1994, he attended the World Neurosurgery Association (WFNS) training courses in Antalya, Turkey.

Glasgow Institute of Neurological Sciences in 1990, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburg in 1992, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia in 1992, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Washington in 1992, Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital in 1994, Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1994 he visited and participated in clinical studies.

He became a neurosurgeon in February 1994. He completed his master's degree in neurophysiology at Marmara University Health Sciences Institute in March 1994. In September 1994, he completed the fifth of the European Neurosurgery Association's (EANS) training courses in Izmir, took the exams, and received his EANS diploma. On the same date, he participated in the European Board of Neurosurgery Primary Examination, passed successfully and certified.

In line with his field of interest, Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, he attended training courses on "Stereotactic Target Calculation" and "Neurostimulation for Pain" in Çeşme İzmir in September 1994. "Stereotactic Neurosurgery Hands-On" in New-Orleans USA in November 1994, "Augmentitative Procedures for Pain" in San Francisco USA in October 1995, "Stereotactic Neurosurgery Hands" in New Orleans-USA in November 1995 , "Deep Brain Stimulation for Treating Parkinson's Disease" in Minneapolis-USA in May 1996, "Interventional Therapies Workshop: Implantable Spinal Cord Stimulation and Drug Infusion Systems" in Washington-USA in May 1996, "Surgical Treatment for Movement Disorders" and" Interventional Therapies in Chronic Pain Management" in Montreal-Canada in October 1996, "Management of Patients with Deep-Brain Stimulators, Expert Course and Workshop"  in Kiel-Germany in June 2001.

Dr. Ali ZIRH returned from the United States in 1997 and started to work at the VKV American Hospital, performing functional neurosurgery interventions and DBS insertion with the Microelectrode Recording and Stimulation technique at the single cell level, which is available in only a few centers in the world.

He started to work at Medicalpark Bahçelievler Hospital as of January 2009 and implemented these initiatives in a health institution where Social Security Institution patients could also benefit. He continues his surgical interventions at Medipol Bağcılar Hospital as of January 2015.

As of September 2018, he continues his academic and clinical studies at Medipol University's Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Center (PARMER).

Over 30 years of clinical and surgical experience in the field of functional neurosurgery, more than 1900 surgical interventions for Parkinson’s and other movement disorder diseases and more than 1400 DBS surgeries that he has successfully performed, made Dr. Ali ZIRH the first name that comes to mind in movement disorder surgery in Turkey and the adjacent geography. He enabled the center where he performs these surgeries to become a Training and Reference Center in the international arena.

Dr. Ali ZIRH is a member of the Turkish Neurosurgery Association, Parkinson's Disease Association, European Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, American Academy of Advancement of Science, World Federation of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, International Association for the Study of Pain, American Pain Society, World Neuromodulation, American Neuromodulation Society, American Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, The Movement Disorder Society, American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS). At the international congresses and symposiums of these organizations held in different parts of the world at least 4-5 times a year, Dr. Zirh shares his experiences with other colleagues at these meetings, and also follows the progress and developments in his field of expertise day by day.

Dr. Ali ZIRH has many publications published in international journals, eight book chapters, more than 150 congress papers and various national / international awards.

Education and Specialization:

• Medical Degree: Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine (1991-1998)
• Specialization in Neurosurgery: Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine (1999-2005)
• Associate Professorship: (2015)
• Professorship: (2020)

Professional Experience:

• 2007-2008: Ankara GATA
• 2009-2011: Özel Ordu Medical Park Hospital
• 2011-2013: Ankara Keçiören Training and Research Hospital
• 2013-2015: Giresun University Faculty of Medicine
• 2014: Clinical Observer at Helsinki University Central Hospital
• 2015-2023: Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine
• Current Position: Neurosurgeon at VM Medical Park Pendik Hospital

Areas of Expertise:

• Brain Aneurysm and Repair
• Brain Tumor/Cancer Surgery
• Spinal Canal Stenosis Surgery
• Lumbar and Cervical Disc Herniation
• Spinal Cord Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery
• Pediatric Neurosurgery
• Congenital Anomalies

Research and Publications: Prof. Dr. Arslan has numerous publications in prestigious journals, covering topics such as the treatment of brain and spinal tumors, innovative neurosurgical techniques, and outcomes of neurosurgical interventions. His work includes studies on brain ischemia/reperfusion injury, spinal cord ischemia, and various other neurosurgical conditions.

Professional Memberships:

• Turkish Neurosurgery Association
• Turkish Society of Neurological Surgery