Professional Experience
His career spans leadership roles in both public and private sectors:
- Neurosurgery assistant and specialist at Haydarpaşa Numune Hospital (1992–2005)
- Part-time neurosurgeon at Avicenna International Hospital since 2005
- Department head of neurosurgery at Avicenna Umut Hospital, overseeing operations since its founding in 1998
- Performed thousands of surgeries, maintaining hands-on postoperative care—often personally assisting patients’ first steps
- Served as medical consultant for sports clubs and cultural associations
Academic Contributions
Dr. Göğüsgeren is active in surgical education and research:
- Presented at international neurosurgery congresses on spinal malformations and cranial nerve anatomy
- Mentored residents and junior surgeons in microsurgical techniques
- Conducted research on facial nerve injury models and vascular neurosurgery methods
Areas of Expertise
He expertly treats a wide range of neurological conditions:
- Brain and spinal tumors – gliomas, meningiomas, metastases, spinal cord tumors
- Functional neurosurgery – epilepsy surgery, deep brain stimulation, hemispherotomy
- Spinal disorders – herniated discs, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis
- Cerebrovascular surgery – aneurysm clipping, arteriovenous malformation (AVM) repair
- Traumatic conditions – subdural hematoma, skull fractures, nerve compression disorders
- Hydrocephalus treatment – shunt implantation and management
Publications and Research
Dr. Göğüsgeren has contributed significantly to neurosurgical knowledge:
He co-authored papers on rare spinal malformations, cranial nerve anatomy, brain metastases, pediatric traumatic epilepsy, and enterocutaneous fistulas in top neurosurgical journals.
His work includes research fellowships, surgical theses, and case reports that support evidence-based neurosurgery and improved patient outcomes.
Patient Care Philosophy
Dr. Göğüsgeren places patient trust and safety at the core of his practice:
- Believes in minimal invasive microsurgical techniques, ensuring operations only when clear benefit outweighs risk
- Maintains lifelong relationships—provides his personal mobile number and supports patients at any hour
- Focuses on compassionate communication, ensuring patients understand their condition and recovery plan
- Supports international patients with interpreter services and personalized care
- Often accompanies patients during their first postoperative steps, even late at night
Professional Affiliations
Dr. Göğüsgeren is actively involved in professional and cultural organizations:
- Member of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society
- Member of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS)
- Leader in cultural and medical associations related to Bosnia–Sancak region
- Medical consultant to sports and cultural foundations
FAQs
- Is Dr. Mehmet Akif Göğüsgeren board‑certified?
- Yes. He completed his neurosurgery specialization in Turkey and is a licensed specialist with over 33 years of experience.
- What types of surgeries does he perform?
- He performs complex brain and spine surgeries including tumor removals, epilepsy procedures, spinal decompression, aneurysm clipping, DBS, and hydrocephalus treatment.
- Does he treat international patients?
- Yes. Avicenna provides multilingual support and interpreter services for patients from abroad.
- How long is a typical hospital stay?
- Hospital stays vary: minimally invasive procedures usually require 1–3 days; major brain or spine surgeries may require 5–10 days based on recovery needs.
- What languages does he speak?
- He speaks Turkish. Hospital staff offer interpretation in English, German, Arabic, Russian, French, Bulgarian, and Romanian.
- How can I schedule an appointment?
- Appointments can be arranged through Avicenna’s international patient services or reputable medical tourism platforms.
- Is follow‑up care available?
- Yes. He remains available via phone, and follow-up care is provided in-person or via telemedicine.