Best Spina bifida (cleft spine) doctors: TOP 27 doctors

Pioneer in robotic spine surgery – Dr. Oliver leads the Neurosurgery Institute at Centro Médico Teknon, specializing in complex spinal conditions.

• 50 years of experience of neurosurgery experience, focusing on minimally invasive techniques
• Performs over 200 spinal surgeries annually, including motion-preserving procedures
• Co-founder of the Foundation for Functional Neurosurgery
• President of the European Skull Base Society
• Uses advanced microsurgical and radiosurgery techniques

Over 46 years of experience as a specialist in reconstructive surgery, including correction of birth defects like spina bifida. He leads his own unit at Centro Médico Teknon.

• Expert in advanced 3D virtual surgical planning for precision
• Has authored 150+ scientific publications on surgical techniques
• Performs complex burn and scar reconstructive procedures
• Pioneer in computer-assisted surgery, formerly president of CARS
• Fellowship-trained in reconstructive surgery in Israel and Brazil

Dr. Conesa specializes in complex neurosurgery, including spinal cord tumors and spina bifida, with decades of experience at leading hospitals in Barcelona.

• Director of Neurosurgery at Teknon Medical Centre
• Extensive experience in brain stem and spinal cord surgery
• Trained at top institutions like Massachusets General Hospital
• Member of European and Spanish neurosurgical societies

Head of Functional Neurosurgery at Ruber International Hospital since 2005 – specializes in complex neurological conditions.

• 180+ publications in medical journals, including 60 in high-impact international journals
• Member of the Executive Council of the International Society of Stereotactic Radiosurgery
• Honorary Professor at the Autonomous University of Madrid
• Recipient of the National Medical Prize in neurosurgery

Prof. Erkan Kaptanoglu specializes in complex spinal surgeries, including spina bifida, with over 34 years of experience of neurosurgical experience. He has led groundbreaking research in spinal cord regeneration.

• Pioneered autologous stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries
• Recipient of multiple prestigious awards for spinal research
• Former Head of Neurosurgery at Marmara University
• Published 100+ scientific articles and 52 book chapters
• Member of EUROSPINE and AO Spine international societies

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.

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).

Assoc. Prof. Ozdogan trained under Prof. Dr. M. Gazi Yasargil, a pioneer in neurosurgery, and specializes in complex spinal conditions at Estexper Clinic.

• Completed Clinical Fellowship in Brain and Nerve Surgery at Yeditepe University Hospital
• Member of Turkish Neurosurgery Association and Turkish Spine Association
• Affiliated with European Association of Neurosurgical Societies
• Held academic positions at Haliç University and Biruni University Hospital

The doctor graduated from Dicle University Faculty of Medicine in 1984 and completed specialization training in Pediatric Surgery at the same institution in 1994. With a focus on neonatal surgery, pediatric urology, oncological surgery, and more, the doctor holds a Turkish Pediatric Surgery Qualification Certificate since 2002.

Having participated in numerous specialized courses, including Anorectal Malformations and Repairs and International Hypospadias Courses, the doctor is a member of several professional societies such as the Turkish Society of Pediatric Surgery and the Pediatric Urology Society.

Dr. Sinan Comu has over 30 years of experience of experience in pediatric neurology, specializing in conditions like spina bifida. He follows American treatment approaches from his training in the USA.

• Specializes in pediatric neurology at Memorial Şişli Hospital
• Trained at Rainbow Babies And Children's Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh
• Member of The Turkish Neurological Society and The Child Neurology Society

Dr. Baran Yil brings specialized neurosurgery expertise from Yale School of Medicine and Marmara University, focusing on complex spine conditions.

• Trained under Prof. Dr. Türker KILIÇ at Marmara University
• Cerebrovascular Research Fellowship at Yale School of Medicine
• Member of Turkish Spine Association and AOSpine
• Awarded Prof. Dr. Hamit Ziya Gökalp Young Neurosurgeon Prize
• Active in organizing neurosurgery and skull-base anatomy courses

Over 30 years of experience specializing in neurosurgery – Dr. Kapici focuses on complex spine conditions at Valued Med Hub Hospitals.

• Head of Neurosurgery Department at Altınbaş University Faculty of Medicine
• Member of Spine Society of Europe and Turkish Spinal Surgery Group
• Trained in microsurgery and advanced spine techniques
• 30 years of experience as Neurosurgery Specialist at Bahçelievler Medical Park Hospital

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

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

With over 33 years of experience in pediatrics and pediatric neurology, Prof. Serdal Gungor specializes in spina bifida care at Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex.

• Subspecialty training in pediatric neurology at Hacettepe University
• Professor at İnönü University with 33 years of experience in that role
• Extensive experience in both clinical practice and academic research

Dr. Suwit Tangcharoenwathanakul is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine disorders. He has subspecialty training in spine surgery.

Doctor of Medicine (MD), Faculty of Medicine, Naresuan University (2010). Diploma in Orthopedic Surgery, Hatyai Hospital (2015). Fellowship in Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Center of Excellence, Lerdsin Hospital (2020).

14 years of experience of neurosurgery experience with a high success rate in treating complex brain and spine conditions, including spina bifida.

• Performs minimally invasive spine surgery for faster recovery
• Expert in pediatric neurosurgery for congenital spine conditions
• Published 17 articles on neurosurgical techniques
• Assistant Professor at Istanbul Medipol University

Dr. Ahmet Oktem brings extensive research experience in pediatrics and biotechnology to his practice at Medipol Acibadem District Hospital.

• Specialized in pediatrics at Hacettepe University
• Conducted research at Ankara University's Biotechnology Institute
• Worked at Dr. Ridvan Ege Health Research Center

Professor Peter Ulrich has been practicing neurosurgery since 1985, specializing in brain and spine microsurgery at Nordwest Clinic.

• Head of Neurosurgery Department at Nordwest Clinic
• Published papers on neurobiology in international medical sources
• Member of multiple prestigious neurosurgical societies
• Trained at Goethe University and Gutenberg University in Germany

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