Understand neurosurgery, the options to discuss with a qualified clinician and what to confirm before planning a visit to Shiraz.

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Key points

Discuss your individual suitability, alternatives and risks with the treating clinician.
Ask for written preparation and recovery instructions, including your medicines and follow-up.
Confirm the healthcare facility, full costs and arrangements before booking travel.

On this page

Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the brain, spine or nerves. The high quality of neurosurgery in Iran is widely acknowledged in the region and beyond, making Iran a popular destination for neurosurgery abroad. Here is all you need to know about neurosurgery in Iran.

Thousands of cross border patients can’t be wrong! Iran is a major hub of medical tourism for all types of procedures, neurosurgery included. You can count on Iranian specialists’ expertise and experience. What’s more, Iran boasts some of the best facilities and medical equipment found in the region.

Spine Surgery

Spinal discs are thin cushioning layers positioned between each vertebra (bone) in the spine. They are shock absorbers and …

Arachnoid Cyst Treatment

Arachnoid cysts are some of the most common cysts that can appear in the brain. While usually congenital, they can also happen as a result of injury.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Also known as Parkinson Disease surgery, Deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedure involves planting a device that…

Subdural Hematoma Drainage

Subdural hematoma is a buildup of blood accumulated in the area in your brain close to the dura. The treatment involves …

Brain Abscess Surgery

Brain abscess surgery usually involves craniotomy. That is, the surgeon temporarily removes a part of the skull before operating on the brain.

Brain Tumor Surgery

Benign (noncancerous) brain tumors can be treated effectively. An experienced neurosurgeon will perform a surgical technique to remove the brain tumor without …

Hydrocephalus Treatment

Hydrocephalus is one of the most common pediatric neurosurgery disorders. The most frequently used treatment is using a VP shunt.

Peripheral Nerve Surgery

Nerve surgery is usually a carpal tunnel syndrome treatment. Sometimes surgery is the only way to ease the numbing pain across the arms and neck.

Neurosurgery treatments in Iran are of such high quality that the country is deemed as the neurosurgery hub in the middle east. Yet, there is no denying the fact that procedures related to the brain, spine, or nerves can be quite complicated. The treatment can seem even more daunting when you decide to try neurosurgery abroad.

Thorough medical consultation and online appointment service for free
Trip planning
Scheduling appointments and arrival/departure dates
Booking accommodation, flights, transfer, etc. during your stay
Assigning personal care assistants and medical interpreter
Follow-up care for months after you’re back home

What is neurosurgery?

Neurosurgery is commonly known as surgical operations on the brain. But in addition to performing surgical procedures on the brain, a neurosurgeon (neurosurgery specialist) will also be able to help patients suffering from other conditions, namely, neck pain or back pain.

A neurosurgeon is fully trained to treat patients who need any of the following procedures:

Brain surgery
Spinal surgery
Peripheral surgery

Neurosurgery in Iran

Here is why numerous patients seek their treatments in Iran.

Notable Iranian neurosurgeons

Brain surgeries can seem extremely unnerving. So, it is important to find an experienced neurosurgeon whose expertise you can trust. Since neurosurgery is one of the main key interests among Iranian specialists, you can find many notable Iranian neurosurgeons with wide experience.

Brain surgery in Iran

Brain surgery is a sub-category of neurosurgery and can be referred to as any type of procedure that is performed on the brain. The number of brain conditions that need surgery are infinite and so are brain procedure types. Here are some of the most common types of brain surgery in Iran.

Brain tumor removal

Tumors are mass or collections of abnormal cells. They can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Brain tumors can lead to brain damage regardless of whether they are cancerous or not. This is because our skull is a restricted area and any abnormal growth inside this limited space can be life-threatening. Hence, specialists suggest addressing the brain tumor immediately.

Brain tumors can be categorized into primary and secondary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors are tumors that originate in the brain and are usually benign. Whereas secondary brain tumors originate somewhere else in the body (e.g. breast or lungs) and find their way to the brain. Some types of brain tumors include:

Glial Tumors: also known as gliomas, these tumors develop from glial cells in your brain or spinal cord.

Pituitary tumors: these tumors are mostly benign and develop at the base of the brain.

Convexity tumors: it is a type of meningioma tumors and occurs on the surface of the brain. They are generally noncancerous and easily accessible through the surgery. Therefore, the surgeon can easily remove them successfully.

Orbital tumor: it refers to any tumor that develops in the bony socket (orbit) that contains the eye. These types of tumors can be benign or malignant.

Intraventricular tumors: brain ventricle tumors are rare tumors that affect children more than adults.

Benign (noncancerous) brain tumors can be treated effectively. An experienced neurosurgeon will perform a surgical technique to remove the brain tumor without resulting in brain damage.

Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt or VP shunt, also called a cerebral shunt, is a device that is used to relieve pressure in the brain. The harmful pressure usually occurs as a result of the buildup of fluid in the brain (a condition known as hydrocephalus). If left untreated, it can result in brain damage. Infants and older adults are more likely to suffer from this condition. Another condition that is usually treated using VP shunts is an arachnoid cyst.

Craniotomy

A craniotomy is a procedure that involves temporarily removing a bone flap from the scalp so that the neurosurgeon can get access to the exposed part of the brain and perform the surgery. Multiple surgical procedures such as aneurysm clipping and brain abscess may involve craniotomy.

DBS surgery

Also known as Parkinson Disease surgery, Deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedure involves planting a device that sends electrical signals to the brain. These impulses will regulate abnormal impulses that trigger body movements.

Spinal surgery in Iran

Back or spine surgery is another sub-category of neurosurgery and includes a range of diagnosis and treatment procedures. Spinal surgery in Iran is performed with the best facilities and by the most proficient neurosurgeons. In some cases, spine surgery can also fall into the orthopedics category.

Spinal fusion

By mimicking the normal healing process of the bones, spinal fusion joins two or more vertebrae permanently to limit movement in the spine. Spinal fusion can be performed to treat conditions such as:

Tumors
Scoliosis
Herniated discs
etc.

Laminectomy

Laminectomy involves removing a part of one or more vertebrae to relieve pressure. The most common reason to have laminectomy is a herniated disc. But it can also be performed to treat injuries or conditions such as narrowing of the canal (spinal stenosis), or tumors.

Discectomy

Similar to the laminectomy procedure, a diskectomy is usually performed to ease the pressure caused by a herniated disk. The difference is that during discectomy, the surgeon will remove vertebral discs.

Foraminotomy

Foraminotomy is a procedure that can take the pressure off nerves. The surgeon enlarges the area around one of the bones in your spine. There are several purposes for this procedure:

Enlargement of the nearby ligament
Arthritis of the spine
Tumors
etc.

Vertebral augmentation

This type of back surgery is performed to restore a fractured vertebrae. To do so, the surgeon injects a particular cement into the bones.

Peripheral nerve surgery in Iran

Peripheral nerve disorders usually get treated through non-surgical methods. However, sometimes surgery is the only way to ease the numbing pain across the body. Some conditions related to the nerves that might need surgery are as follows:

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Peroneal and ulnar (arm and foot nerves) compression
Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Pediatric neurosurgery in Iran

Pediatric neurosurgery addresses neurological conditions in children. These conditions might be congenital or occur as a result of other factors. Some examples of common pediatric disorders are tumors, arachnoid cyst, and hydrocephalus.

A practical point for your care

Before an operation, the pre-assessment team should review your health, previous tests and all medicines and supplements. Ask for written instructions on medicines, eating, drinking and aftercare that apply to your planned procedure.^[1]

Planning treatment in Shiraz

Ask SanaMedTour about the appropriate specialty, appointment arrangements and practical support for your visit. The treating clinician confirms the diagnosis, treatment options, suitability and follow-up after assessment.

Request an itemised written quote identifying the clinician, facility, tests, treatment, medicines, reviews and any accommodation or transfers included.

Ask about your visit

Understand treatment costs

Sources

[1] NHS: Preparing for surgery — supports the individual-care planning note above. ↑ Back to text

Editorial adaptation: 25 October 2026. General information for planning and discussion; your clinician’s individual instructions take priority.