Professor Dr. Atilla Akbay, Neurological surgeon - Ankara, Turkey

About Professor Dr. Atilla Akbay

Professor Dr. Atilla Akbay is an internationally recognized, highly esteemed neurosurgeon currently practicing at the prestigious Bayindir Healthcare Group in Ankara, Turkey. With an illustrious medical career spanning 39 years, Dr. Akbay has established himself as a leading authority in the surgical and non-operative treatment of complex diseases affecting the nervous system, encompassing the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Throughout his extensive career, he has seamlessly blended clinical excellence with academic dedication, having served as a Professor of Neurosurgery and shaping the next generation of medical professionals.

Dr. Akbay is deeply committed to patient safety, utilizing the most advanced medical protocols and working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of highly experienced physicians. Whether addressing life-threatening brain tumors, debilitating spinal deformities, or complex movement disorders, his approach is rooted in precision, deep neurological knowledge, and compassionate patient care. Patients traveling from across the globe to Turkey seek Dr. Akbay’s expertise for his unparalleled ability to handle even the most complex neurosurgical cases with exceptional skill and ease.

Medical Expertise & Specializations

As a premier brain and spine specialist, Professor Dr. Atilla Akbay possesses profound expertise in diagnosing and treating a vast spectrum of neurological conditions. Brain disorders, whether caused by traumatic injury, genetics, or illness, can profoundly affect an individual’s memory, sensation, mobility, and personality. Dr. Akbay leverages advanced neuroimaging, meticulous surgical planning, and cutting-edge operative techniques to restore function and improve the quality of life for his patients. He is highly proficient in addressing both acute neurosurgical emergencies and chronic, progressive neurological disorders.

Conditions Treated

Neurological conditions produce diverse symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe, life-altering deficits. Dr. Akbay strongly advises patients never to ignore warning signs such as prominent scalp veins, unexpected memory problems, chronic drowsiness, rapid increases in head circumference, a downward deviation of the eyes (sunset sign), severe early-morning headaches, unprovoked nausea, or new-onset seizures. Furthermore, spine-related symptoms like stiffness in the lower back, numbness or "pins and needles" in the extremities, a weak grip, muscle spasms, loss of movement, or severe pain radiating down the leg warrant immediate specialized evaluation.

Dr. Akbay provides targeted, comprehensive treatment for a vast array of complex conditions, including:

• Brain Tumors & Neuro-Oncology: Comprehensive management of malignant and benign growths, including Glioblastomas, Astrocytomas, Meningiomas, Acoustic Neuromas, Oligodendrogliomas, Pituitary Adenomas, Gliomas, Mixed Gliomas, Ependymomas, and Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors.
• Spinal Disorders & Degenerative Diseases: Expert surgical intervention for Disc Degeneration, Herniated and Slipped Discs, Disc Dessication, Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Arthritis, Spinal Stenosis, Vertebral Compression Fractures, Vertebral Tumors, Vertebral Hemangiomas, and Congenital Spine Disorders like Scoliosis.
• Movement Disorders & Neuropsychiatric Conditions: Advanced neuromodulation and surgical therapies for Parkinson's Disease, Essential Tremors, Dystonia, Tourette's Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Chronic Depression.
• Cerebrovascular Conditions: Precise treatment of Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs), Aneurysms, Stroke, and conditions resulting in Cerebral Edema or High Intracranial Pressure.
• Neurological Trauma & Infections: Immediate and long-term management of Traumatic Head Injuries, Fractured Vertebrae, Brain Infections, and Brain Abscesses.
• Congenital & Systemic Disorders: Treatment and management of Hydrocephalus, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Obstruction, Epilepsy, Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's Disease, Paget's Disease, Vertebral Osteoporosis, and Achondroplasia.

Procedures Performed

With deep clinical knowledge and decades of hands-on surgical practice, Dr. Akbay regularly performs an array of highly specialized procedures designed to safely and effectively treat neurological anomalies. His surgical portfolio is defined by its breadth and success rate, employing both traditional open surgeries and modern, minimally invasive techniques.

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): A highly sophisticated procedure involving the implantation of electrodes within specific areas of the brain to regulate abnormal impulses. This is frequently utilized by Dr. Akbay to treat Parkinson’s Disease, severe tremors, Dystonia, and certain psychiatric conditions like OCD and Tourette's Syndrome.
• Craniotomy: A critical surgical operation in which a bone flap is temporarily removed from the skull to access the brain. Dr. Akbay performs elective craniotomies to treat brain tumors, cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and to relieve high intracranial pressure or cerebral edema.
• Brain Tumour Treatment: Utilizing specialized oncological neurosurgery protocols, Dr. Akbay performs precision resections of both primary and metastatic brain cancers to prolong survival and preserve maximum neurological function.
• Spinal Decompression and Fixation: A complex procedure aimed at relieving pressure on the spinal cord or nerves (often caused by spinal stenosis or herniated discs) and stabilizing the spine using specialized hardware.
• Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): A specialized neck surgery performed to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the cervical spine to relieve spinal cord or nerve root pressure, followed by fusing the vertebrae for stability.
• ALIF - Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A type of spinal fusion surgery accessed through the abdomen rather than the lower back, used to treat severe disc degeneration or spinal instability in the lumbar region.
• Artificial Lumbar Disc Replacement: An advanced alternative to spinal fusion where Dr. Akbay replaces a diseased or damaged disc in the lower spine with an artificial implant to maintain normal spinal motion.
• Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Treatment: Surgical correction and spinal fusion procedures tailored for younger patients suffering from severe, progressive abnormal curvature of the spine.
• Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA): A vital surgical procedure used to reduce the risk of stroke by correcting stenosis (narrowing) in the carotid artery.
• Cerebral Angiogram: An advanced diagnostic and interventional procedure utilized to map the blood vessels in the brain, essential for diagnosing aneurysms and AVMs.

Education and Training

Professor Dr. Atilla Akbay’s exceptional surgical capabilities are built upon a foundation of rigorous academic training and continuous clinical research. He has spent decades not only perfecting his craft as a surgeon but also contributing to the broader medical community as a respected professor and researcher. Dr. Akbay has authored various research articles and papers submitted in both international and national medical journals, advancing the global understanding of neurological sciences.

• 1985: Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, earning his foundational medical degree.
• 1995: Completed Specialization Training at the prestigious Hacettepe University Institute of Neurological Sciences, officially becoming a specialized Neurosurgeon.
• 2005: Awarded a Ph.D. from Hacettepe University Institute of Neurological Sciences.
• 2005 - 2007: Served as an Assistant Professor at Hacettepe University, guiding medical students and residents in neurosurgical practices.
• 2007 - 2014: Elevated to the role of Professor at Hacettepe University.
• 2014 - 2019: Continued his tenure as a Professor at Hacettepe University, cementing his legacy in academic neurosurgery.
• 2019 - Present: Brings his decades of academic and clinical excellence to Bayindir Healthcare Group in Ankara, serving as a leading Neurosurgeon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Understanding neurosurgical conditions and treatments can be overwhelming. Below are medically accurate answers to common questions regarding Professor Dr. Atilla Akbay’s practice, specialties, and neurosurgical procedures.