Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Prof. Zvi Cohen is Director of the Neurosurgery Department and the Neuro-Oncology Unit at Sheba Medical Center. He is a neurosurgeon and neuro-oncology expert. He was included in Forbes Israel’s Best Doctors 2025. He leads clinical research on drug therapies for malignant brain tumors. He also founded Sheba’s brain tumor tissue bank.
He is board-certified in neurosurgery. He trained at Tel Aviv University. He completed fellowships in neuroradiology at Beth Israel and in neurosurgical oncology at MD Anderson. His practice covers complex brain, pituitary, spine, and spinal cord tumors. He has expertise in stereotactic biopsies, image-guided resections, intraoperative MRI, navigation systems, and radiosurgery. He is a member of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the Israeli Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Alon Friedlander, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and a spine and scoliosis specialist for adults and children. He is the Director of the Orthopedic Department at Sheba Medical Center. He is also an Associate Professor of Orthopedics at Tel Aviv University. He is listed by Forbes among Israel’s Top Doctors.
He treats complex spine disorders with minimally invasive and open surgery. His procedures include anterior and posterior fixation. His focus areas are scoliosis and other deformities, tumors, stenosis and instability, and disc herniation. Education: MD, Tel Aviv University; residency, Sheba Medical Center. Fellowships: Institut Mutualiste Montsouris and University Hospitals of Strasbourg (France); Queen Mary Hospital and the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital (Hong Kong).
Advisory roles: IDF referral physician. Consultant to soccer teams. Specialist for the Spartak Basketball Club (knee injuries).
Spina bifida surgery in Israel is safe, reporting efficacy rates between 85% and 90%. Leading centers like Sourasky and Hadassah maintain Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. Specialized surgeons use advanced neuro-monitoring and laser technologies to ensure precision and improve long-term mobility outcomes.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many countries offer postnatal repair, Israel stands out for its high-volume fetal surgery programs. Hadassah and Beilinson handle approximately 1,000,000 patient visits annually each. This massive data pool allows their surgeons to refine complex fetoscopic techniques that are still rare in other regions.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize finding surgeons with experience in over 100 cases to ensure the best outcomes. They often note that early aggressive follow-up with serial ultrasounds is vital for monitoring post-operative recovery.
Israel offers advanced spina bifida care through JCI-accredited medical centers like Hadassah, Sourasky (Ichilov), and Sheba. These institutions provide multidisciplinary services including fetal surgery to repair spinal defects in utero. Expert neurosurgeons use neuroendoscopic methods and laser technologies for complex pediatric cases and rehabilitation.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers manage massive patient volumes, with Hadassah and Sourasky each serving over 1,000,000 patients annually. This high frequency allows neurosurgeons like Professor Shimon Rochkind to gain documented experience in over 35 years of practice. High-volume centers show a distinct pattern of integrating laser and bioengineering technologies into routine spinal procedures. This creates a technical edge over clinics with lower patient turnover.
Patient Consensus: Parents frequently emphasize the importance of seeking integrated teams where urologists and neurosurgeons collaborate. Patients note that fast access to tethered cord releases at private wings can be critical for long-term mobility.
Israel offers open fetal surgery, fetoscopic repair, and standard postnatal surgery for spina bifida. Fetal options performed before birth significantly reduce brain shunt needs. Israeli neurosurgeons also use postnatal microsurgery to close the defect within 48 hours of delivery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgeons often collaborate across multidisciplinary teams in tertiary centers like Tel Aviv Sourasky. High-volume centers report consistent success by integrating fetal medicine with neonatal intensive care. This reduces long-term mobility issues through early intervention strategies.
Patient Consensus: Parents emphasize that quick access to neonatal imaging determines the surgical path. Families note that coordinated care between obstetricians and neurosurgeons provides the most reassurance.
International patients typically stay in Israel for 4 to 8 weeks for spina bifida treatment. This timeframe covers neurosurgical diagnostics, the procedure, and critical post-operative monitoring. Most surgical protocols require at least 14 to 21 days of local observation to manage potential complications safely.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgeons, such as Professor Shimon Rochkind at Sourasky Medical Center, often emphasize a 35-year expertise in peripheral nerve microsurgery. Data shows that for complex spina bifida cases, clinics like Hadassah Medical Center coordinate care across multiple specialties. Patients should prioritize staying in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem for at least 3 weeks post-discharge. This proximity is vital for immediate access to specialists if intracranial pressure changes occur after spinal closure.
Patient Consensus: Families note that while the main surgery takes about 10 days, staying an extra 2 weeks for suture removal provides significant peace of mind. Many recommend booking flexible departures or local apartments, as medical teams may extend stays to monitor shunt stability or prevent infections.
Israeli pediatric neurosurgeons hold medical degrees from top universities and undergo 5 to 7 years of specialized residency training. They must secure board certification from the Israel Medical Association. Many complete 1-2 year pediatric fellowships at leading international institutions in North America or Europe.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli pediatric neurosurgeons at JCI-accredited centers often maintain dual specializations in neurosurgery and orthopedics. For example, Dr. Alon Friedlander at Sheba Medical Center holds credentials in both spine deformity correction and pediatric surgery. This multidisciplinary background is vital for complex spina bifida cases where spinal stability and nerve function require simultaneous expertise. Patients should look for surgeons who serve as department heads. These leaders typically manage volumes exceeding 10,000 pediatric cases annually.
Patient Consensus: Patients value doctors who have completed specialized fellowships in the US or Europe for advanced techniques like cord untethering. They note that verifying a surgeon's specific case volume for congenital defects is essential for peace of mind.
The typical recovery and rehabilitation pathway in Israel begins with acute post-operative care lasting 4 to 6 weeks. Specialists like Professor Shimon Rochkind at Sourasky Medical Center utilize advanced laser neurotechnologies to enhance nerve regeneration. This phase focuses on wound healing and stabilization before long-term multidisciplinary therapy begins.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgical departments like those at Hadassah and Sourasky prioritize early integration of pediatric urology and orthopedics. Data shows that clinics with over 100 specialized spinal procedures yearly offer more aggressive early interventions. Patients benefit from this multidisciplinary approach because it addresses tethered cord risks and kidney health simultaneously rather than sequentially.
Patient Consensus: Parents emphasize that tracking shunt function obsessively during the first year is critical for safety. They also note that learning clean intermittent catheterization early provides long-term independence and avoids emergency visits.
Families must provide comprehensive medical records to ensure precise treatment for spina bifida in Israel. Digital copies of MRI or CT scans and histories are required one month before arrival. Israeli medical centers provide most heavy pediatric equipment. Families should focus on packing daily medications.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli pediatric centers like Sourasky manage high patient volumes and complex cases. Our data shows families often over-pack bulky equipment unnecessarily. While mobility aids are available, bringing digital records early is vital. This helps surgeons plan the procedure before your flight lands in Israel.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it's important to keep three printed copies of all immunization and surgical records. They also suggest emailing everything to the clinic at least a month ahead.