Functional Neurosurgery

Expert consultation, evaluation, and decision-making in complex neurological conditions

The Functional Neurosurgery service operates within a private medical clinic in Tel Aviv and is led by Prof. Ido Strauss, a senior neurosurgeon and a recognized expert in functional neurosurgery.

The focus of the clinic is not on performing procedures on site, but on careful evaluation, clinical judgment, and treatment planning in situations where functional neurosurgical intervention may be considered.

In many cases, the most important step is not the procedure itself, but deciding if, when, and whether an intervention is truly the right option.

What is Functional Neurosurgery?

Functional neurosurgery deals with conditions where the main problem is not a structural lesion, but a disturbance in how the nervous system functions — movement, pain, seizures, behavioral control, or emotional regulation.

When surgery is considered, the goal is usually modulation of neural activity, rather than removal of tissue.
In other cases, the conclusion may be that surgery is not appropriate at all.

This is why careful assessment and experience matter.

Areas of consultation and surgical consideration

The clinic provides expert consultation and guidance in conditions where functional neurosurgery may play a role, including:

• Surgical treatment of epilepsy (in selected, drug-resistant cases)
• Surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia
• Surgical treatment of hemifacial spasm
• Surgical treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia
• Surgical treatment of neuropathic cranial nerve pain
• Surgical treatment of vagus nerve compression
• Surgical treatment of Parkinson’s disease
• Surgical treatment of essential tremor
• Surgical treatment of dystonia
• Surgical treatment in selected psychiatric disorders
• Surgical treatment in disorders of consciousness and behavior

In each case, the role of the clinic is to assess suitability, timing, and alternatives, not to assume that surgery is inevitable.

What treatments does functional neurosurgery perform?

Functional neurosurgery is very different in its approach to patients. Its role is to perform medical procedures with minimal surgery. Israel is considered a very developed country in the field thanks to the professionalism of doctors and technologies that are developing very rapidly in the country. In addition, it can also be noted that functional neurosurgery specialists in Israel are among the leaders in the world, not only thanks to the technologies that are implemented in hospitals, but also because they are constantly developing cutting-edge surgical techniques. The array includes procedures such as:

• Radiofrequency (RF) therapy(Parkinson’s disease)
• High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
• High-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgFUS)
• Focused ultrasound (FUS)
• SDR surgery
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• Baclofen pump stimulation (ITB)
• Deep vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
• Microvascular decompression – MVD
• TTFields (Optune)
• Laser interstitial thermotherapy – LITT

A multidisciplinary approach: neurosurgery, neurology, and psychiatry

Most conditions addressed in functional neurosurgery cannot be viewed from a single angle.

For this reason, consultations are conducted in collaboration with:

• neurologists
• psychiatrists and neuropsychiatrists
• other relevant specialists when needed

This multidisciplinary perspective allows for more balanced decisions and helps avoid unnecessary or premature interventions.

Who may benefit from a consultation?

A functional neurosurgery consultation may be appropriate for patients and families who:

• are dealing with a complex neurological condition
• are considering a functional neurosurgical procedure
• have not achieved sufficient benefit from medical treatment
• are seeking a second opinion before making a major decision

In some cases, the outcome of the consultation is a recommendation not to proceed with surgery — and that, too, is a meaningful result.

Private consultation setting

A private consultation allows time for:

• detailed review of medical history
• careful analysis of imaging and test results
• open discussion of risks, benefits, and alternatives
• clear explanations and realistic expectations

The clinic does not replace treatment in public hospitals, but serves as an expert advisory and planning step within the decision-making process.

Contact

Functional Neurosurgery Consultation Tel Aviv Medical Clinic

📞 Phone: +972-73-374-6844
📧 Email: [email protected]
💬 WhatsApp: +972-52-337-3108

Questions people usually ask before a functional neurosurgery consultation

People often ask whether functional neurosurgery automatically means having surgery.
It doesn’t. Quite often, it actually means the opposite — taking a step back and checking if surgery makes sense at all. In many consultations, the conclusion is to wait, adjust treatment, or simply follow the situation more closely.

Another common concern is whether this is “brain surgery”.
The term sounds intimidating, but functional neurosurgery is really about how certain neural systems behave — movement, pain, seizures, sometimes behavior. Surgery is only one possible option, and not always the right one.

Many patients come when they feel stuck.
Symptoms are still there, medications haven’t helped enough, or different doctors are saying different things. In those situations, the consultation is less about doing something new and more about understanding what’s actually going on.

People also ask where procedures are performed.
The clinic itself focuses on evaluation and planning. When a surgical procedure is recommended, it is carried out in specialized medical centers with the appropriate teams and facilities.

The involvement of neurologists and psychiatrists often raises questions.
In reality, many functional conditions don’t belong to just one specialty. Movement disorders, epilepsy, chronic pain, and even some psychiatric conditions overlap. Looking at the problem from more than one perspective usually leads to better decisions.

Is surgery usually the final recommendation?
Honestly, no. In many cases, the answer is that surgery is not the best step right now. For some patients, hearing that clearly explained is actually a relief.

Finally, people ask why they should seek a private consultation.
The main difference is time. Time to review records carefully, to talk things through, and to ask questions without feeling rushed. Especially when decisions feel heavy, that space matters.

If someone feels unsure, confused, or simply wants clarity before moving forward — that’s usually reason enough to ask for a consultation.