Spine Surgery in Israel

Spine surgery in Israel at Top Ichilov multidisciplinary clinic is performed at the Department of Neurosurgery. The department is fitted with well-equipped surgical unit, intensive therapy wards, and comfortable recovery rooms.

Though in some countries, spine surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon, microsurgical interventions are considered the gold standard. This truly intricate work should be entrusted to a neurosurgeon, specialist in the most complex brain and spine surgery. This is why in Top Ichilov, the position of the Head of Spine Surgery Department is occupied by an experienced neurosurgeon, the world-renowned physician.

The Program Of Evaluation Before Spine Surgery In Top Ichilov

Day 1. Primary Examination by a Spine Surgeon

The patient is examined by a neurosurgeon: Doctor Zvi Lidar, Head of Department, or Doctor Ilya Pekarsky, experienced spine surgeon. The doctor carries out some tests to assess the range of movement in the spine. During the consultation, he detects any active complaints. If the patient has brought the results of a previously conducted MRI, the doctor revises the scans. If necessary, the spine surgeon refers the patient for MRI and other studies.

Day 2. Instrumental Examination

The exact list of procedures depends on the type of surgery. It may include:

• Electromyography;
• CT and MRI of the spine;
• Spine X-rays in 2 projections;
• Myelography (to assess spinal cord damage);
• Lumbar puncture.

Day 3. Surgical Planning

The patient is once again referred for a consultation with a spine surgeon who determines the method and the strategy of surgical intervention. The doctor also decides if the patient needs consultations with physicians of related specialties (oncologist, neurologist, rheumatologist, orthopedic surgeon).

Before the procedure, the patient also consults an anesthesiologist in order to assess the risks related to anesthesia and to determine the type of pain relief. Besides, the anesthesiologist gives recommendations on how to measure out and take the drugs that the patient may need. If necessary, the anesthesiologist prescribes medications (antibiotics, blood thinners) to prevent potential complications (blood clots, infections).

The diagnostic program takes 1-3 days. The cost: from $685.

The Advantages Of Spine Surgery In Israel

• High level of expertise. The professional education of Israeli spine surgeons takes about 16 years, approximately two times longer than in the CIS countries. During this time, the future specialist works out every nuance of spine surgery to the last detail.
• Newest equipment. Spine surgery clinics in Israel are fitted with high-definition imaging tools, special surgical instruments for microsurgery, advanced diagnostic equipment and specially developed computer software. In Top Ichilov, spine surgery is performed using the Mazor surgical robot, an Israeli development that helps place the implants precisely into certain areas of the spine.
• Most types of surgery are minimally invasive. Most surgical procedures for herniated discs are carried out through a single incision less than 2.5cm in diameter.

What Are The Main Indications For Spine Surgery?

• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Spine and spinal cord tumors
• Osteochondrosis
• Infections of the spine
• Hemangioma treatment

Who Performs Spine Surgery In Top Ichilov

Top Ichilov employs one of the best Israeli specialists in minimally invasive surgery:

Doctor Zvi Lidar, specialist in minimally invasive spine surgery and complex open interventions on the spine. Heads the Department of Spine Surgery at the Ichilov Medical Center. One of Israel’s best physicians’2019 according to the Forbes magazine. Every year, performs hundreds of minimally invasive operations on the spine and leads in terms of quantity of these procedures. H. Sheba Prize winner and author of 116 scientific works published in international medical journals. Many of these works are devoted to minimally invasive spine surgery.

Doctor Ilya Pekarsky, leading Israeli spine surgeon. Doctor Pekarsky’s professional experience in spine surgery: over 20 years.

Spine Surgery In Top Ichilov

• Minimally Invasive Surgical Interventions

People who suffer from back pain are unlikely to agree to a full-scale operation. This is understandable. The spine and the spinal cord are the most vulnerable parts of the human body. This means that spine surgery is linked to a higher risk. This risk increases manifold when open surgery is considered. Open surgery leads to significant tissue damage, scarring, extensive blood loss and a substantial risk of complications. There is another disadvantage: prolonged recovery that sometimes forces the patient to remain “out of the loop” for several months.

Minimally invasive surgery has no such drawbacks. This is why in the developed countries, these procedures have been growing more popular. In Israel, for instance, most types of spine surgery are now minimally invasive. The procedures are carried out through small incisions ranging from 5mm to 5cm depending on the type of intervention.

Herniated disc treatment also requires minimally invasive surgery; the doctor only makes a 1.5cm incision in the patient’s back. A special surgical tool is inserted between the muscles so there is no risk of muscle damage.

The procedure is performed under the guidance of special X-ray machines that provide a very high resolution. Most patients are discharged from the hospital 1-2 days after surgery and return to their normal lives much faster.

Doctor Zvi Lidar treats herniated discs with minimally invasive surgery.

• Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)

This type of surgery is indicated for scoliosis with a thoracic spine deformity. First of all, the doctor makes small incisions in the chest, between the ribs. Through these incisions, the doctor inserts video cameras and special endoscopic instruments in order to perform surgery on the spine. Thanks to the small incisions, recovery after thoracoscopic surgery takes less time than after open surgical intervention.

Treatment Methods Introduced In 2024

• Robot-Assisted Surgery

The Mazor surgical robot is used to perform spinal fusion. Spinal fusion implies connecting vertebrae with metal constructs out of plates and screws. Spinal fusion is indicated for herniated discs, scoliosis, spine tumors, injuries, etc. A special instrument is attached at the patient’s back. It helps the surgeon insert the screws accurately into the narrow areas of the vertebrae, with no harm to blood vessels or nerve endings. Robot-assisted surgery may be open or minimally invasive.

How To Get Surgery In Top Ichilov

1. Call the clinic right now: +972-37621629
2. Or fill in the form below. Our doctor will contact you within 2 hours.