Neurosurgery in Marrakech

Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders/diseases or injury that affects any portion of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, and peripheral nerves. This specialty includes both adult and pediatric patients. A physician who specializes in neurosurgery is called a neurosurgeon. Although they are mostly known as ‘brain surgeons,’ they are also medically trained to help patients who suffer from neck and back pain, as well as a wide range of other illnesses. Some of the most common conditions that neurosurgeons can treat include:

• Meningitis
• Traumatic head injury
• Cervical spine disorders
• Sciatica
• Herniated disc
• Stroke
• Chronic pain
• Carotid artery disease
• Pituitary tumors
• Brain tumors
• Hydrocephalus
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Spine tumors
• Vertebral fractures
• Sciatica
• Lumbar spinal stenosis.

A neurosurgeon can provide diagnostic procedures, as well as both surgical and non-surgical treatment. These include, but are not limited to:

• Computerized Tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Lumbar Puncture
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Ultrasonography (USG)
• Biopsy
• Aneurysm repair
• Tumor removal
• Trauma repair
• Clot removal
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• Brain stereotactic radiosurgery
• Epilepsy surgery
• Fetal surgery
• Endovascular treatment
• Endoscopic procedures
• Hyperhidrosis surgery, such as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
• Seizure surgery
• Spinal fusion
• Trigeminal neuralgia surgery.

How Long Should I Stay in Marrakech?

Your length of stay depends on the type of procedure you underwent. For diagnostic tests, you may need to stay in Marrakech for 3 to 7 days to wait until the results are ready and to discuss the results with your neurosurgeon. In some cases, you may be allowed to leave for home immediately. For medical treatments, you usually need to stay in the hospital for two to five days, and stay in Marrakech for 7 to 14 more days, sometimes even longer. During your stay, you will have to attend regular checkups where your neurosurgeon monitors your condition. If everything is fine, you will be allowed to travel home.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Since there is a wide range of procedures, recovery times vary. In general, it can take around 4 to 12 weeks to recover from surgery. During this period avoid strenuous activities and take time off of work. Your doctor will gradually allow you to increase your activity levels, based on their examination at the follow-up visits. 

What Aftercare is Required?

After neurosurgery treatments, you will have to change your lifestyle. A healthy diet, such as keeping your salt levels down and avoiding sugary food, is crucial to prevent complications. It is also important that you exercise regularly and get enough sleep. For some types of surgery, you will need rehabilitation therapy, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech, language therapy. 

What's the Success Rate?

Given the advances in technology, understanding of the nervous system, and surgical understanding, the success rate of neurosurgery continues to improve and is now higher than before. For example, the success rate of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is around 95%, while the likelihood of being seizure-free five years after epilepsy surgery is around 95%. Still, every procedure come with potential risks and side effects, such as infection, excessive swelling of the brain, spinal fluid leakage, and seizures.

Are there Alternatives?

If you have any conditions related to your nervous system, you can go to a neurologist as the alternative. However, since neurologists do not perform surgery, they will refer you to a neurosurgeon should surgery be required as part of your treatment.

Neurosurgery in and around Marrakech

About Marrakech

Located to the north of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is the fourth largest city in the Kingdom of Morocco. Found nearly a thousand years ago, this city is where Africa, the Middle East, and Europe fuse into one. It is widely known as the red city because of its famous red walls, alleys, and plazas. The city offers a rare opportunity for tourists to immerse themselves in culture, where modern and ancient merge in a perfect balance. Just like many Moroccan cities, the medina in Marrakech is too beautiful to be missed. 

Marrakech has the perfect environment for relaxing and rejuvenating, which is one of the reasons why many medical tourists seek health treatments in this beautiful red city.  The medical facilities in the city offer outstanding quality with the latest technology and a wide range of treatments. Healthcare in this city is considerably cheaper than in Western countries and many people are also attracted to Marrakech because it is known to excel in modern plastic surgery. The most sought-after procedures are liposuction, nose jobs, breast lifts, and ear surgery. Other treatments such as dental care, spa, and wellness are also popular.

Popular Areas in Marrakech

This exotic city has everything for everyone, whether you want to indulge in its culture and history or have a luxurious and modern vacation.

• Djemaa El Fna is the most famous square in Morocco that attracts tourists from all around the globe. Often referred to as the heart of Marrakech, the square is a thrilling place to go shopping and get a closer look into the Moroccan culture. However, the real excitement starts when the sun sets and the square is transformed into an Arabian fantasy. It will be filled with fortune tellers, snake charmers, monkeys, and musicians, making it an interesting place to have fun and experience new things. 
• Ali Ben Youssef Medersa is the largest madrasa in Morocco and one of the most important in North Africa. Built around 500 years ago, the Quranic learning center still retains its splendid beauty. It is said that up to 900 students have lived in the building to study law and theology. In 1960, it was turned into a museum and one of the most popular sights in Marrakech. Tourists can enjoy a striking view of architecture and decoration as its wall and columns have astonishing carvings, the large patio is made of marble, and the inner courtyard is decorated with mosaics.
• Musée Yves Saint Laurent is a must-visit for any fashion enthusiast and the museum exhibits selected masterpieces of haute couture clothing and accessories made by the legendary French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent from 1962 until his retirement in 2002. Designed by Studio KO, the building itself is impressive with terracotta brick and earthen-colored terrazzo. The museum consists of a 150-seat auditorium, bookstore, a research library, and a terrace café.
• The Bahia Palace means brilliance in Arabic and it is a fascinating well-preserved historical site in Marrakech. It consists of a palace and a set of gardens which was built in the late 19th century. The building perfectly captures the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan style.

Weather and Climate in Marrakech

Marrakech mostly experiences a hot semi-arid climate. Spring starts in March and ends in May, with flowers blossoming and the temperature is between 15 °C at the lowest and 28 °C at the highest, spring is one of the best times to visit the city. If you’re planning to visit during this season, note that April and May have occasional rain showers. June to August are the summer months which can get extremely hot and the average temperature is around 26 °C to 30 °C, but it can increase to 36.8 °C. It is best to stay in the shade from noon to 3.00 PM when the sun is at its hottest. 

The temperature will slowly decrease in the Autumn months of September to November. This season is also one of the best seasons to travel and have some outdoor adventures in the red city. Although the summer is remarkably hot, the winter in Marrakech is cold as the temperature sometimes plummets to 6 °C. This season runs from December to February and it is also the wettest season as rain is most predominant in December.

Getting Around in Marrakech

The main international airport serving Marrakech is the Marrakesh Menara International Airport. The airport operates domestic and international flights. It has two passenger terminals in one large building that serve flights to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Budget airlines such as EasyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air provides affordable options to travel to and from the red city.  

Taxis are widely available throughout the city. It is also one of the most efficient and flexible ways to get to the main sites and there are two kinds of taxis in the city. The Grand taxis are old Mercedes cars that can carry up to six people and have a specific route with a fixed fare. Tourists can find the grand taxis at the bus station or Djemaa el Fna. Petit taxis are a private taxi, and the drive will take you anywhere. These taxis are metered and can be a little more expensive than the grand taxis. There are drivers who do not use the meter so you should bargain or ask the driver to switch the meter on before you get into one.

Buses are the most inexpensive way to get around. Tourists can find them in the central bus station of Place El Mouarabitene, and most buses will stop at the Djmaa el Fna. Tourists can pay the fare directly to the driver. If you want a more traditional and interesting way to get around, you can opt for the caliche and it is a horse-drawn carriage with a fixed price for the most common routes. 

Tourist Visas in Marrakech

There are around 66 countries granted visa-free access to Morocco for up to 90 days, including the European Union, Australia, China, Russia, and the United States. Citizens of the Republic of the Congo, Guinea, and Mali do not require a visa but must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization in advance. It is best to always check the current regulations at the nearest Moroccan Embassy or Consulate before applying for a visa.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD) and the exchange rate from 1USD is 9.70 MAD.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs can be found all over the city. Credit cards are mostly accepted in top-end restaurants and hotels. Tipping can be obligatory sometimes. 
3. Local Language: Modern Standard Arabic and Berber is the official languages and French is widely spoken. English is not common but there will be people who can speak English especially in tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The majority of the population follows Islam. There are also people who follow Christianity, Judaism, and Baha’i Faith.
5. Public Holidays: Islam religious holidays such as Islamic New Year and Eid al-Fitr are celebrated in Marrakech.