Fellowship Training in Functional Neurosurgery
FELLOWSHIP TRAINING IN FUNCTIONAL NEUROSURGERY
6–12 Months | Partially Hands-On Surgical Training Led by Prof. Abuzer Güngör, MD
Venue: Medical Park Bahçelievler Hospital, Istanbul
Custom Start Date | Live DBS, Epilepsy & Pain Surgery | Accredited Certificate
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Prof. Abuzer Güngör, MD Functional & Stereotactic Neurosurgery Specialist
Pioneer in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s, dystonia, tremor
Expert in Epilepsy Surgery, Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS)
International trainer in Frameless Stereotaxy, Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT), Pain Neuromodulation
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Duration | 6 months (minimum) → 12 months (full mastery) | Format | 80% OR time (scrub-in, first assist, progressive autonomy) + 20% clinic, research, academic | Case Volume | >150 functional cases/year (DBS, epilepsy, pain, movement disorders) | Start Date | Custom – Request any Monday; confirmed within 72h based on Prof. Güngör’s OR calendar | Language | English
CURRICULUM PHASES
Phase 1: Months 1–3 | Foundation & Observation
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OR: Observe 50+ cases (DBS lead placement, epilepsy resections, spinal cord stimulators)
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Clinic: Pre-op evaluation, programming DBS/VNS, multidisciplinary epilepsy boards
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Didactics: Weekly journal club, stereotaxy physics, neuromodulation principles
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Milestone: First-assist on >20 DBS battery replacements
Phase 2: Months 4–6 | Hands-On Core Skills
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Lead Surgeon Role:
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DBS lead insertion (frameless & frame-based)
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Temporal lobectomy, laser ablation (LITT)
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Paddle/lead spinal cord stimulation
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Research: Publish 1 case report or retrospective study
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Milestone: Independent DBS programming certification
Phase 3: Months 7–12 (Optional) | Advanced Autonomy & Leadership
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Primary Surgeon under supervision:
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Complex DBS revisions
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Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) implantation
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Intrathecal pump placement
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Cortical mapping for epilepsy
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Teaching: Mentor junior residents, present at national congress
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Research: Lead 1 prospective study or book chapter
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Milestone: Eligible for Sky Medical Academy Functional Neurosurgery Diploma
SURGICAL PROCEDURES (Progressive Hands-On)
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Category |
Key Procedures |
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Movement Disorders |
DBS (STN, GPi, VIM), Pallidotomy, Thalamotomy |
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Epilepsy Surgery |
Temporal lobectomy, Amygdalohippocampectomy, LITT, Corpus callosotomy |
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Neuromodulation |
VNS, RNS, Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), Intrathecal pumps |
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Pain Surgery |
Occipital nerve stimulation, Trigeminal procedures |
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Stereotaxy |
Frameless biopsy, SEEG electrode placement |
WEEKLY SCHEDULE (Typical)
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Day |
Activity |
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Mon–Wed |
OR Days – 3–5 cases (DBS, epilepsy, pain) |
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Thu |
Clinic + Programming (DBS adjustments, VNS checks) |
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Fri |
Research, M&M, Journal Club |
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Weekend |
Off-call (optional emergency cases) |