Neurosurgery in Tel Aviv

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 Tel Aviv?

Your length of stay depends on the type of procedure you underwent. For diagnostic tests, you may need to stay in Tel Aviv 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 Tel Aviv 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 Tel Aviv

About Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv-Yafo commonly referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the economic and technological center of Israel. Located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline, the city is popular for its glimmering beaches, creative culture, non-stop nightlife, and architectural heritage. As Israel is becoming a popular medical tourism hub, thousands of medical tourists who seek medical treatments in this country choose Tel Aviv as their destination. The city’s medical system, as well as its doctors and medical professionals, are world-renowned. It boasts some of the finest medical centers, staffed with highly trained doctors and nurses. International tourists looking for world-class, innovative medical treatments can get any procedure they need for a fraction of the cost they would have to pay in their home countries.

Popular Parts of Tel Aviv

There’s no shortage of activities in Tel Aviv. With at least 300 days of sun per year, this hip and bustling city offer shimmering beaches for any sun-chaser. Gordon Beach is one of the most popular in the city. It boasts clear blue waters, volleyball courts, and a boardwalk full of restaurants serving fresh fish and Israeli cuisine. Besides the beaches, visitors usually go to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. This impressive gallery is set inside the modern ‘envelope’ building by American architect Preston Scott Cohen. The museum provides a lot of activities and collections to see, but the highlight is the collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art, which features works by Pissarro, Renoir, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, and many more. Visitors who want to relax can visit Park HaYarkon, which is the city’s largest green space.

Transport in Tel Aviv

International tourists will arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, which is located 20 kilometers southeast of Tel Aviv. It serves flights to and from many cities around the world, including Seoul, Amsterdam, New York, and Beijing. The city’s relatively new overground railway system is the most affordable and easiest way to get around. Buses are available, but the routes can be a bit confusing. Taxis are widely available around the city and they are easy, albeit expensive, way to get around. 

Visas in Tel Aviv

Holders of passports issued by 99 countries, including all EU countries, Canada, Russia, and the US can enter and stay in the country for up to 3 months without a visa. Most other nationals are required to obtain a visa prior to arrival and are recommended to contact their nearest embassy of Israel as some countries need a confirmation from the Israeli government before a tourist visa is issued.

Weather in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv experience a typical Mediterranean climate. The winters are rainy and the summers are hot. The temperatures in the summer (June to August) can rise to 31°C - 34°C and the humidity can reach over 80%. Spring and fall have pleasant weather since the temperatures are not too high or low. 

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: New Israeli Shekel (ILS) is the official currency. 1 USD will get you approx. 3.5 ILS.
2. Money & Payments: It’s easy to find ATMs around the city. Credit cards are widely accepted. Tipping is common, but typically not expected.
3. Local Language: Hebrew is the official language, while Arabic has a special status as a semi-official language. Most people can speak English fairly well.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Most of the population adheres to Judaism. Islam is the largest minority religion in the city, followed by Christianity.
5. Public Holidays: The city celebrates several public holidays, such as Independence Day, Hanukkah, and Jerusalem Day.