Best Neurorrhaphy neurosurgeons in Turkey: TOP 19 doctors

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.

Specializations

Brain Tumors

Aneurysm Surgery

Pituitary Surgery

Spine Surgery

Waist neck and back hernias

Spine Tumors

Spinal Fractures

Peripheral Nerve Surgery

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.

Specialization: Neurospinal Cord and Nerve Surgery

Foreign Language : English

Date of Birth: 03.02.1974

Education :

Gazi University Faculty of Medicine (1991-1997)
Fırat University Neurosurgery Specialization (1999-2004)

Experience:

Private Adatip Hospital (2004-2013)
Private Cihan Hospital (2013-2015)
Private Adatip Hospital (2015-...)

Memberships:

Sakarya Medical Chamber
Turkish Neurosurgery Association

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

Dr. X has 10 years of experience in Neurosurgery at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital Neurology Clinic, Yozgat City Hospital, Private Lokman Hekim Akay Hospital, and Emsey Hospital.

Work Address: Biruni University Hospital, Department Of Neurological Surgery, Istanbul 

Education And Training

Undergraduate: 1997 - 2001 Halkali High School, Istanbul, Turkey 

Graduate:   2001 - 2007 Mersin University, School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey 

Postgraduate: 2009 – 2014 Bakırköy Research And Training Hospital For Psychiatric And Neurological Disease, Department Of Neurological Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey 

Observer: June-December 2017 University of Wisconsin- Department of Neurological Surgery, Madison, USA

June-August 2020 Acıbadem University- Spine Center, İstanbul, Turkey

 Professional Interest: Cranial Surgery, Functional neurosurgery (used to treat movement disorders), Spine Surgery 

Licensure And Certification 

 2007 June: Doctor of Medicine, Turkish Ministry of Health 

 2014 July: Neurosurgeon, Turkish Ministry of Health

Employment

2014– 2021 Neurosurgeon - Istanbul Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Research And Training Hospital

2021- Neurosurgeon- Biruni University Hospital, Department of Neurological Surgery

Training Courses / Workshops / Meetings / Symposiums 

(In Chronological Order)

Has Participated in 18 National and International Courses, Scientific Meetings (Certified) in Neurosurgery And Spinal Surgery. 

• Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Symposium, 8-11 October 2009 Nevşehir/Turkey
• 24th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting, 14-18 May 2010  Antalya / Turkey
• Turkish Neurosurgical Society: Spine And Peripheral Nerve Surgery Education And Training Group: Basic Education Program, 3-6 July 2011 Sapanca / Turkey
• 27th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting, 12-16 Apr 2013  Antalya / Turkey
• Turkish Neurosurgical Society: Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery: Hands-On Cadaver Course 15-16 November 2013 Istanbul/Turkey
• Turkish Neurosurgical Society: Neurooncology And Neurovascular Surgery Education And Training Group: Unified Symposium. 28-29 December 2013 Istanbul/Turkey
• Turkish Neurosurgical Society: Spine And Peripheral Nerve Surgery Education And Training Group: Lumbar Minimally Invasive Surgery Course. 7 Feb 2014 Istanbul / Turkey
• 28th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 4-8 April 2014    Antalya / Turkey
• Medtronic Midas Rex Workshop: Cadaver Course 23 May 2014 Istanbul / Turkey
• Turkish Neurosurgical Society: Spine And Peripheral Nerve Surgery Education And Training Group, 26-29 June 2014 Gaziantep/Turkey
• ISMISS Turkey 2015 Congress, 6-8 November 2015, Istanbul/ Turkey
• Endoscopic Lumbar Surgery Comprehensive Cadaveric Course, 16-17 April 2016, Istanbul/Turkey
• 84th AANS Annual Scientific Meeting, 30 April - 4 May 2016 Chicago/Illinois
• Istanbul Microneurosurgery Course, 26-29 January 2017,  Istanbul/ Turkey
• Microvascular Surgery Course, December 2017, Madison/Wisconsin
• 32th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 20-24 April 2018    Antalya / Turkey
• 33th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 11-14 April 2019    Antalya / Turkey
• 2019 Turkish Spine Society Eurospine Advance Diploma Course
•  

Published Article

• Yakar, F., Zaimoglu, M., Dogan, I., Bakirarar, B., Eroglu, U., Kircil, C., Ucer, M., & Guner, E. (2018). Is A Unilateral Surgical Approach Effective In Patients With Bilateral Leg Pain With Unilateral Lumbar Disk Herniation? A Prospective Nonrandomized Clinical And Surgical Study. World Neurosurgery.
• Onen, M. R., Moore, K., Cikla, U., Ucer, M., Schmidt, B., Field, A. S., & Baskaya, M. K. (2018). Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration: Neurosurgical Perspective And Literature Review. World Neurosurgery, 112, E763-E771.
• Dogan, I., Ucer, M., & Başkaya, M. K. (2018). Gross Total Resection Of Chordoid Glioma Of The Third Ventricle Via Anterior Interhemispheric Transcallosal Transforaminal Approach At Two Stages. Journal Of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base, 79(S 03), S281-S282.
• Dogan, I., Ucer, M., & Başkaya, M. K. (2018). Microsurgical Resection Of Tuberculum Sellae Meningioma Via Pterional Craniotomy With Extradural Anterior Clinoidectomy And Optic Unroofing. Journal Of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base, 79(S 02), S218-S218.
• Sayyahmelli, S., Kina, H., Ucer, M., Salamat, M. S., & Baskaya, M. K. (2018). Frontal Lobe Intracerebral Schwannoma Mimicking Metastatic Lesion In A Patient With Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. Journal Of Surgical Case Reports.
• ÜCER, Melih, Et Al. Surgical Outcomes Of Decompressive Laminectomy By Transspinous Approach For Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 2018, 68.1618.
• Ozaydin, B., Ucer, M., Cikla, U., & Pyle, G. M. (2019). Translabyrinthine Approach To Vestibular Schwannomas. In Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery (Pp. 135-150). Springer, Cham.
• Hanalioglu, S., Sahin, B., Sahin, O. S., Kozan, A., Ucer, M., Cikla, U., ... & Baskaya, M. K. (2019). Effect Of Perioperative Aspirin Use On Hemorrhagic Complications In Elective Craniotomy For Brain Tumors: Results Of A Single-Center, Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal Of Neurosurgery, 1(Aop), 1-10.
• Neurosurgical Analysis Of Logging Accidents: An Observational Study, AE Taçyıldız, C Akıncı, TM Güler, H Demirkol, M Üçer, B Çekmen, Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery 25, 101167
• Dentate Nucleus: Connectivity-Based Anatomic Parcellation Based On Superior Cerebellar Peduncle Projections, AE Tacyildiz, B Bilgin, A Gungor, M Ucer, A Karadag, N Tanriover, World Neurosurgery 152, E408-E428
• Observational Case Analysis Of Neonates With Large Cephalohematoma, M Üçer, AE Taçyıldız, I Aydın, NA Kayran, S Işık, Cureus 13 (4)
• Effıcıency Of Sılver-Coated Tıtanıum Alloy Screws In The Preventıon Of Implant-Assocıated Infectıons, NA Kayran, M Üçer, AE Ofluoğlu, The Journal Of Turkish Spinal Surgery 32 (2), 84
• Minimally Invasive Approach Toward Percutaneous Direct Pars Repair: An Observational Study, M Üçer, World Neurosurgery 146, E1301-E1306
• The Effect Of Tenosynovectomy On Patient ID Outcome İn Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery, AL AYDIN, M ÜÇER, İstanbul Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Tıp Dergisi 13 (1), 36-41
• Endoscopic Untethering Of Tight Filum Terminale: An Operative Technique, O Okay, A Dalgic, AE Yildirim, M Ucer, O Uckun, S Baydin, MK Coban,Turk Neurosurg 31 (1), 73-75
• Comparison Of Two Minimally İnvasive Techniques With Endoscopy And Microscopy For Extraforaminal Disc Herniations, AL Aydın, M Sasani, H Sasani, M Üçer, M Hekimoğlu, T Öktenoğlu, World Neurosurgery 144, E612-E621
• “Suspended Duraplasty”: A Technique For Type 1 Chiari Malformation Resistant To İnitial Surgical Therapy M Ucer, A Akbaş, MŞ Ekşi, B Erkan, BT Demirgil, A Güngör, Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery 21, 100703

Published Abstracts And Presentations In International Scientific Meetings 

(In Chronological Order)

• Metastatic prostate carcinoma to the intramural extramedullary spinal compa rtment: a case report, Melih Üçer, Ilhan Aydın, Sarper Polat, Erhan Emel, WFNS Seoul, Korea, 8-12 September 2013
• Radiation-Induced Cerebellopontine Angle (CPA) Meningioma: Case Report, Hasan Burak Gündüz, Anas Abdallah, Fatih Cesur, Erhan Emel, Betül Güler, Akın Öztürk, Melih Üçer, 10th Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons Astana - Kazakhstan / 9 - 12 September 2014
• Mid-term Surgical Treatment Outcomes Of Intracranial Epidermoid: Experience of 15 Patients, Anas Abdallah, Erhan Emel, Akın Öztürk, Mustafa Levent Uysal, Melih Üçer, Murad Asiltürk,10th Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons Astana - Kazakhstan / 9 - 12 September 2014
• Congenital Thecal Sac Defect Terminated In The Skin At L2-3: Case Report, Anas Abdallah, Akın Gökçedağ, Erhan Emel, Melih Üçer, 10th Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons Astana - Kazakhstan / 9 - 12 September 2014
• Intradural Extramedullary Paraganglioma At S1 Level : Case Report, Anas Abdallah1, Erhan Emel, Özden Erhan Sofuoğlu, Melih Üçer, Akın Öztürk, 10th Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons Astana - Kazakhstan / 9 - 12 September 2014
• A Case of Intracranial Hypotension Complicated with Hydrocephalus, Melih Üçer, Ilhan Aydın, Sarper Polat, Abdullah Emre Taçyıldız, 10th Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons Astana - Kazakhstan / 9 - 12 September 2014

Published Abstracts And Presentations In National Scientific Meetings 

(In Chronological Order)

• Eosinophilic granuloma, case report; Baran Bozkurt, Melih Üçer, Levent Uysal, Oral Presentation. 26th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 12-16 April 2012 Antalya / Turkey.
• Guyon’s Canal Syndrome Due to Tortuous Ulnar Artery: A Case Report, Melih Üçer, Ilhan Aydın, Sarper Polat, Abdullah Emre Taçyıldız,  28th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 4-8 April 2014   Antalya / Turkey
• Cerebellar hemorrhage after resection of frontal meningioma.Case report, Melih Üçer, Ilhan Aydın, Sarper Polat, Abdullah Emre Taçyıldız, 28th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 4-8 April 2014   Antalya / Turkey
• Intracranial Migration of Ventriculo-Peritoneal Shunt Catheter, Melih Üçer, Ilhan Aydın, Sarper Polat, Abdullah Emre Taçyıldız, 28th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 4-8 April 2014   Antalya / Turkey
• Migration of Abdominal Catheter of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt into the Scrotum, Melih Üçer, Sarper Polat, Ilhan Aydın, Abdullah Emre Taçyıldız, 28th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 4-8 April 2014   Antalya / Turkey
• Armoured brain: a case of bilateral calcified chronic subdural haematoma complicating infantile hydrocephalus, Melih Üçer, Ilhan Aydın, Sarper Polat, Abdullah Emre Taçyıldız, 28th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 4-8 April 2014   Antalya / Turkey
• Long term results of the patients with lumbar stenosis who were opereted on by transspinos method, Oral presentation, Melih Üçer, Erhan Emel, Müslüm Güneş, 28th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 4-8 April 2014   Antalya / Turkey
• Posterior comminican artery aneurysm relation with the tentorium, Oral presentation, İlhan Aydin, Oğuz Baran, Melih Uçer, Barış Küçükyürük, Necmettin Tanrıöver, 29th Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 17-21 April 2015    Antalya / Turkey
• Anterior commissure and classification: neuroanatomical studies, Oral presentation, Serhat Şevki Baydın, Abuzer Gungor, Necmettin Tanrıover,  Melih Ucer, Oğuz Baran, Erhan Emel, Albert Rhoton Turkish Neurosurgical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 8-12 April 2016  Antalya / Turkey

   Computer  Skills

• Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint
• Adobe Photoshop
• SPSS statistical software

Dr. Serdar Kabatas, graduated from Trakya University Medical Faculty, Edirne/Turkey in 1997. He became a neurosurgeon-specialist- in 2003 and then gained an award for postdoctoral fellowship in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Neural Stem Cell (NSC) at Harvard Medical School in 2007. He has spent most of his scientific carrier in the study of SCI related stem cell applications either experimentally or clinically, stem cell clinical applications in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, periferic nervous system injuries, cell-based approaches for intervertebral disc regeneration, dentritic stem cell vaccines regarding brain tumours, trigeminal neuralgia, aneurysm surgery, etc. Among his achievements are the prediction of neural and anatomical abnormalities of the gastrointestinal system resulting from contusion SCI and functional multipotency of NSCs- its therapeutic implications- in USA. 

In addition to his scientific interests, he is the President of Society of Stem Cell and Cellular Therapies in Turkey. He is also member of AANS, CNS, Society of Neuroscience, Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Society of Nervous System Surgery and Turkish Spine Society. He is the chief editor of Journal of Nervous System Surgery. He had been teaching neurosurgery to medical students at the Baskent University, Turkey from 2008 to 2013. Between 2013 to 2015, he was the chief of Neurosurgery Department in Private Reyap Hospital, Tekirdağ. Curently, he has been the chief of Department of Neurosurgery in University of Health Sciences Turkey, Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey since 2016. He was awarded as the first candidate for Specialization Thesis (2004) and Board Exam (2011) in Turkey, respectively. He was also awarded as research project regarding Stem Cell Applications in Rat Model (2013) in Turkey. He has more than 100 publications in peer-reviewed international journals with around 1300 citations. His h-index is 21 in google scholar and 17 in web of science. 

Selected Publications: 

1. S.Kabatas, D.Yu, X.D.He, H.S.Thatte, D.Benedict, K.T.Hepgul, P.M.Black, S.Sabharwal, Y.D.Teng, “Neural and anatomical abnormalities of the gastrointestinal system resulting from contusion spinal cord injury.“ Neuroscience 154(4): 1627-1638 pp., 2008 

2. Y.D.Teng, S.Kabatas, J.Li, D.R.Wakeman, E.Y.Snyder, R.L.Sidman, “Functional Multipotency of Neural Stem Cells and Its Therapeutic Implications“, ed. H.Ulrich. Perspectives of Stem Cells, 255-270 pp., Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg London New York © Springer Science+Business Media B.V., 2010 

4. S.Kabatas, Y.D.Teng, “Potential Roles of Neural Stem Cell in Restoration of the Injured Spinal Cord: Review of the Literature.“ Turk Neurosurg 20(2): 103-110 pp., 2010 

5. S. Kabataş, T. Cansever, E. Civelek, C. Yılmaz, "The therapeutic potential of neural stem cells in traumatic brain injuries", Curr Signal Transd T 6(3): 327-336 pp., 2011 

6. Teng YD, Yu D, Ropper AE, Li J, Kabatas S, Wakeman DR, Wang J, Sullivan MP, Redmond DE Jr, Langer R, Snyder EY, Sidman RL. Functional multipotency of stem cells: a conceptual review of neurotrophic factor-based evidence and its role in translational research. Curr Neuropharmacol 9(4): 574-85, 2011. 

7. Karaoz E, Kabatas S, Duruksu G, Okcu A, Subası C, Ay B, Musluman M, Civelek E. Reduction of lesion in injured rat spinal cord and partial functional recovery of motility after bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. Turk Neurosurg 22(2): 207-17, 2012. 

8. Han I-B, Kim S-W, Ropper AE, Thakor D, Kabatas S, Teng YD. Recent Patents on Cell-based Approaches for Intervertebral Disc Regeneration. Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering, 5: 122-30, 2012 

9. Sonmez E, Kabatas S, Ozen O, Karabay G, Turkoglu S, Ogus E, Yilmaz C, Caner H, Altinors N. Minocycline Treatment Inhibits Lipid Peroxidation, Preserves Spinal Cord Ultrastructure and Improves Functional Outcome after Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in the Rat . Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Jan 30.

10. Han I-B, Ropper AE, Konya D, Kabatas S, Toktas Z, Aljuboori Z, Chi JH, Teng YD. Biological Approaches to Treating Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Devising stem cell therapies. Cell Transplant 24 (11): 2197-208, 2015. 

11. Aras Y, Sabancı PA, Kabataş S, Duruksu G, Subaşı C, Erguven M, Karaöz E. The Effects of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation During The Acute And Subacute Phases Following Spinal Cord Injury. Turk Neurosurg 26 (1):127-39, 2016.

12. Kabatas S, Demir CS, Civelek E, Yilmaz I, Kircelli A, Yilmaz C, Akyuva Y, Karaoz E. Neuronal regeneration in injured rat spinal cord after human

dental pulp derived neural crest stem cell transplantation. Bratisl Med J 119 (3): 143-151, 2018

13. Karaoz E, Tepekoy F, Yilmaz I, Subasi C, Kabatas S. Reduction of Inflammation and Enhancement of Motility after Pancreatic Islet Derived Stem Cell Transplantation Following Spinal Cord Injury. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2019 Mar;62(2):153-165. 

14. Han IB, Thakor DK, Ropper AE, Yu D, Wang L, Kabatas S, Zeng X, Kim SW, Zafonte RD, Teng YD. Physical impacts of PLGA scaffolding on hMSCs: Recovery neurobiology insight for implant design to treat spinal cord injury.

Exp Neurol. 2019 Oct;320:112980. 

15. Kabataş S, Cİvelek E, Sezen GB, Kaplan N, Savrunlu EC, Çetİn E, Dİren F, KaraÖz E. Functional Recovery after Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Administration in a Patient with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Study. Turk Neurosurg. 2020;30(6):914-922. 

16. Kabataş S, Civelek E, İnci Ç, Yalçınkaya EY, Günel G, Kır G, Albayrak E, Öztürk E, Adaş G, Karaöz E. Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in a Patient with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Pilot Study. Cell Transplant. 2018 Oct;27(10):1425-1433. 

17. Teng YD, Wang L, Kabatas S, Ulrich H, Zafonte RD. Cancer Stem Cells or Tumor Survival Cells? Stem Cells Dev. 2018 Nov 1;27(21):1466-1478. 

18. Kabatas S, Civelek E, Savrunlu EC, Kaplan N, Boyalı O, Diren F, Can H, Genç A, Akkoç T, Karaöz E. Feasibility of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in pediatric hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: Phase I study. World J Stem Cells. 2021 May 26;13(5):470-484. 

19. Kabataş S, Civelek E, Kaplan N, Savrunlu EC, Sezen GB, Chasan M, Can H, Genç A, Akyuva Y, Boyalı O, Diren F, Karaoz E. Phase I study on the safety and preliminary efficacy of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. World J Exp Med. 2021 Mar 20;11(2):17-29.

Prof. Dr. Gülşah Bademci is a physician specialized in the field of brain, nerve, spine, and spinal cord surgery. She graduated as the fourth-ranked student from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 1993. She obtained her title as a brain and nerve surgeon from the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Department of Brain and Nerve Surgery in 2001. In 2008, she became an associate professor at the Kırıkkale University Faculty of Medicine, and in 2021, she became a professor at the Yüksek İhtisas University Faculty of Medicine. She has contributed to numerous international publications, serving as a research and clinical fellow at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences with Prof. Dr. M. Gazi Yaşargil, and as a research fellow at Yale University School of Medicine. She holds ECFMG America Board Step 1 and EANS European Board certificates. She speaks advanced-level English and has awards in tennis and swimming. She also pursues professional-level caricature art and medical illustration. In her 30-year career, she has performed numerous surgeries as a brain and nerve surgery specialist, particularly in spinal canal stenosis surgery, lumbar and cervical disc herniations, brain tumors, hydrocephalus surgery, and nerve compressions.

Assoc. Dr. İsmail Gülşen is a distinguished neurosurgeon serving at Lokman Hekim Van Hospital in Turkey. With extensive expertise in advanced brain and spine surgery, he has contributed significantly to the field through innovative techniques and patient-focused care. Dr. Gülşen specializes in diagnosing and treating complex neurological conditions, offering cutting-edge surgical interventions. His commitment to excellence is reflected in his continuous pursuit of medical advancements and personalized treatment strategies. For further details on his qualifications and professional achievements contact lokman hekim health group.

Dr. Aşkın Şeker is a highly respected Neurosurgeon with 23+ years of experience and numerous awards and achievements. He has interests in endoscopic skull base surgery, neuroanatomy, functional neurosurgery, movement disorders, spinal surgery, herniated disc, neck hernia and endoscopic surgeries. He is a member of numerous professional organizations and has 47 articles published in SCI international journals, papers presented in 33 international scientific meetings, 10 articles in national journals, and wrote chapters for 2 international books.