Division of Neurosurgery

The Division of Neurosurgery at the Sheba hospital provides the highest level of care for patients with central and peripheral nerve diseases, as well as vertebral and spinal cord injuries resulted from mechanical traumas.

About 1,200 surgical procedures are performed annually in the division making use of peroperative visualization, navigation and monitoring, including peroperative M.R.I. (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Within the framework of the division, clinical studies are conducted in the field of rehabilitation after head injuries, spinal cord traumas and malignant brain tumors, as well as advanced medical equipment is developed.

Being one of the world''s largest neurological centers, the division serves both the Israelis and foreign nationals.

Areas of the Division''s Activity:

• Spinal Surgery: The treatment of spine and spinal cord tumors, intervertebral hernia, spinal stenosis and intervertebral spaces, as well as spine stabilization.
• Neuro-Oncology: diagnosis and treatment of malignant brain tumors
• Radiosurgery: treatment of malignant brain tumors with focused radiation
• Functional Surgeries: surgeries aimed at the relief of the uncontrollable pain syndrome and motor skills disorders.
• Surgeries for Pituitary Tumors Removal
• Malignant Brain Tumors and Surgeries on the Skull Base
• Pediatric Neurosurgery: brain tumors, hydrocephalus, congenital malformations, brachial plexus injuries.
• Surgical and Endovascular Treatment (Angioplasty) of Blood Vessels: cerebral aneurysm.
• Surgical Treatment of Uncontrollable Epilepsy
• Endoscopic Brain Surgery (minimally invasive surgery without cavitary incision)
• Traumatic Head and Spine Injuries

Intensive Care Unit

The Intensive Care Unit operates as an integral part of the Division of Neurosurgery.

The unit's patients are constantly supervised by the trained personnel coupled with continuous apparatus monitoring.

The patients usually stay in the unit from 24 hours to the time solely defined by the medical staff''s opinion. According to the Intensive Care Unit''s rules, the number of patient''s visitors is limited to one. Only first-degree relatives are allowed and it is not recommended to take children to the unit.

To comply with high hygienic conditions required for infection safety, visitors must wash their hands when entering and leaving the Intensive Care Unit. During therapeutic procedures, visitors will be asked to leave for the waiting room until the procedure is finished.

Attending Personnel

A team of the highest category practitioners operates at the division representing an integral part of the world's neurosurgery vanguard.

Professor Moshe Hadani - Director of the Division, the head of the division's clinical and scientific activities related to all aspects of neurosurgery.
Dr. Nachshon Knoller - Director of Spinal Surgery Division. Expertise: neurosurgery, spinal surgery Clinical activity: spine surgeries for various pathologies (degenerative diseases, injuries, fractures, spine and spinal cord malignant and benign tumors, blood vessel disorders in the spine, infections and congenital defects). Research activities: The latest medication treatments for traumatic brain and spinal injuries. Cell Therapy - the use of macrophages in the post-traumatic treatment. (Dr. Nachshon Knoller is the first person in the world, who successfully applied this technique in the human treatment) Implementation of operating technology and apparatus monitoring of brain activity.
Dr. Robert Spiegelman - Director of the Radiosurgery Unit. Expertise: general neurosurgery, pain neurosurgery, radiosurgery Clinical activity: surgical treatment as well as the combination of surgery and locally-focused radiation in the treatment of metastatic diseases and brain tumors such as acoustic neuroma, and meningioma. The outcome of these methods'' combination dominates the effectiveness of each of these methods used separately.
Dr. Zvi Cohen - Director of the Oncological Neurosurgery Unit The head of a multi-professional team that includes neurosurgeons, orthopedists, radiologists, oncologists, pathologists, coordinating nurses and social workers; the lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine at the Tel Aviv University. Expertise: neurosurgery Clinical activity: surgeries for primary and secondary brain, spine and spinal cord tumors. Surgical procedures make use of peroperative visualization, navigation, and monitoring, including peroperative MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which ensures the quality and safety of the operation. As a part of the surgery, tissue samples are extracted for further examination making use of state-of-the-art digitally controlled stereotactic systems, which penetrate to virtually every part of the brain causing no damage to its fine structures. Research activities: The author of many published scientific articles on primary and secondary brain tumors and spine clinical research examining the effect of the latest drugs used in the treatment of malignant brain tumors; laboratory studies of CNS tumors in experimental animal models.
Professor Yitzhak Shaked - Surgeon of the Highest Qualification Category, Professor of the Faculty of Medicine at the Tel Aviv University Founder of the first spine surgery unit in Israel, operating as a part of the Division of Neurosurgery. Expertise: neurosurgery Clinical activity: spine and spinal cord surgeries, surgeries for extradural and intraspinal tumors removal.
Dr. Sagi Arnoff - Doctor of the Highest Qualification Category. Expertise: neurosurgery, vascular brain diseases Clinical activity: brain vessels surgeries, surgeries for benign brain tumors removal, surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, craniofacial surgery aimed at the functional and aesthetic defects correction, endoscopic skull base and pituitary surgeries.
Dr. Alon Friedlander - Doctor of the Highest Qualification Category. Expertise: orthopedics, spine pathology Clinical activity: surgeries for spinal tumors removal, surgical correction of spinal deformities, vertebroplasty for elderly patient population.
Dr. Jacob Zauberman - Doctor of the Highest Qualification Category. Expertise: neurosurgery, pediatric neurosurgery, neuro-oncology Clinical activity: hydrocephalus treatment, endoscopic surgeries, surgical treatment of epilepsy and surgeries for brain tumors removal.
Ms. Tanya Shimriz - Head Nurse of the Division A certified nurse with years of experience, who has a master degree in epidemiology and preventive medicine. She successfully completed nursing state training courses for intensive care as well as health systems management.

As of today, the nursing staff at the Division of Neurosurgery consists of 33 certified nurses. More than 90% of the members of this careful, closely interacting with each other team, have an academic degree in nursing and patient care. Constantly supporting their patients and seeking to defend their interests against any threat, the team not only provides quality nursing, but also creates a pleasant atmosphere of caring. Professional approach and responsiveness to the patient needs ensures the highest quality of treatment, which in many cases is a decisive factor of its success.

The following clinics operate as a part of the Division of Neurosurgery:

Specialized Outpatient Clinic

Experienced professionals in the field of neurosurgery provide competent advice to the patients referred from other areas of medicine, as well as conduct post-operative monitoring in operated patients.

Nursing Clinic

The clinic's staff deals with the primary post-operative monitoring of patients, sutures removal and routine operational briefings aimed at the fastest patients'' rehabilitation and their return to everyday life.

Preoperative Clinic

The clinic is visited by patients facing planned surgery to ensure an optimal preparation for the procedure. This involves additional tests and a comprehensive briefing on the planned operation. Patients are welcomed by: anesthesiologist, attending physician and a nurse from the Division of Neurosurgery.