The 6th Department of Neurosurgery specializes in the management and treatment of the whole spectrum of diseases of the Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord), peripheral nerves, and spine as well as of musculoskeletal chronic pain syndromes. Utilizing technologically advanced medical devices (surgical microscope, endoscope, neuronavigation and intraoperative neuromonitoring, etc.), applying minimally invasive techniques (MIS), and working with a team of highly trained and experienced physicians in other specialties (anesthesiologists, neurologists, neurophysiologists, physiologists, etc.), our state-of-the-art Department efficiently covers the entire spectrum of modern clinical neurosurgery in terms of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.
Spinal fusion via intra-articular implants as a surgical treatment approach for degenerative spinal diseases
Our Department is the only Private Hospital Department in Greece to specialize in minimally invasive spinal fusion via intra-articular implants.
Our Department, along with some associate physicians extensively trained on it, was the first to use this approach for the placement of special grafts into the facet joints of two or more vertebrae, thus “locking” the vertebrae together and stabilizing the corresponding spinal level. This approach helps achieve shorter operative times, minimal to zero intraoperative blood loss, shorter postoperative stays (patients are discharged in less than 48 hours, provided no transpedicular screws have been placed), smoother and faster postoperative patient mobility combined with better patient functional rehabilitation, almost zero postopertative pain, and no long-term low back pain.
Spinal fusion via intra-articular implants is indicated for properly selected patients suffering from degenerative disc disease or isolated facet-based symptomatic back pain when there is no coexisting lateral recess stenosis, severe spinal instability or fracture, spondylolisthesis, spinal tumors and spondylodiscitis, or acute or chronic systemic or localized infection.
To date, no incidents of recurrence or material failure and movement have been reported.
Stem cell transplantation in quadriplegics and paraplegics
Since 2005, in partnership with the University Egas Moniz, the largest University Institution in Portugal dedicated to higher education in the field of Medicine, and under the tutelage of Professor Carlos Lima, we have been trained and we perform stem cell transplant surgery from olfactory mucosa in quadriplegic and paraplegic patients due to spinal cord injuries.
Brain diseases
For the treatment of brain diseases, we apply modern microsurgical and neuronavigation techniques for surgical removal of brain tumors, open or stereotactic brain tumor biopsy, neuronavigation-guided biopsy as well as surgical techniques such as ventriculoperitoneal shunts and lumboperitoneal shunts, third ventriculostomy, placement of intrathecal infusion pump and placement of DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) by a highly specialized team, etc. Conditions and diseases treated include:
- brain tumors, skull base tumors, pituitary tumors, digestive system tumors, and craniocervical junction tumors;
- vascular diseases (aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, Moya-Moya);
- traumatic injuries (epidural, subdural, and intracerebral hematomas);
- spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage;
- cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorders (Hydrocephalus);
- infectious diseases (abscesses, empyema [collection of pus]).
Spinal diseases
Our Department manages and treats spinal conditions and diseases. Namely, we perform classic surgical techniques such as microdiscectomy, laminectomy and spinal decompression, foraminotomy, somatectomy, cervical spinal fusion with self-locking, stand-alone cage, spinal fusion with transpedicular screws and bolts, lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF, PLIF, ALIF), kyphoplasty as well as modern techniques, minimally invasive spinal fusion via intra-articular implants, endoscopic surgery via anterior, posterior, and lateral accesses based on individual patient indications. Conditions and diseases treated include:
- degenerative diseases of the cervix, thorax, and lumbar spine (disc hernias, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, etc.);
- extradural, intradural, and intramedullary tumors;
- spinal cord and vertebral traumatic injuries;
- instability and osteoporotic fractures along the entire length of the spine;
- nfectious diseases (spondylodiscitis , epidural abscesses);
- bypass in cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorders (syringomyelia);
- congenital diseases (Tarlov cysts);
- minimally invasive pain management (facet blocks, nerve root blocks, sacroiliac joint injections) by a highly specialized team;
- peripheral nerve disorders;
- carpal tunnel syndrome;
- ulnar nerve entrapment;
- tumors (neuromas).
Staff
Chief :
Prokopakis Dimitrios, Neurosurgeon
Contact Number:
+30 210 650 2933
