Interview with spinal neurosurgeon of the Romodanov Neurosurgery Institute Mikhail Khizhnyak

MedTour continues to introduce you to leading Ukrainian doctors. This time we interviewed the Honored Doctor of Ukraine, neurosurgeon Mikhail Khizhnyak.
Introduce yourself.

My name is Mikhail Khizhnyak. Today I head the department of minimally invasive and laser spinal neurosurgery, I am a doctor of medical sciences, professor, Honored Doctor of Ukraine.

Tell us about your work experience.

My work experience is 35 years, of which 26 years I have been dealing exclusively with problems of spinal pathology. At the end of 1995, the department of minimally invasive and laser spinal neurosurgery was opened, which I have the honor to head. This department specializes in low-traumatic high-tech surgical interventions that are performed for various forms (mainly degenerative) diseases of the spine. In particular, these are: herniated discs, degenerative stenosis, instability, spondylolisthesis, tumors of the vertebral bodies and others.

What technological capabilities does your department have?

Today, our department has a wide range of surgical options, which allows doctors to individually select a technique for a particular patient. We have access to modern minimally invasive technologies, which are now presented in leading neurosurgical clinics. We have almost all of the European technologies for the treatment of spinal pathology. This applies to both intraoperative equipment and instruments.

Tell us about the surgical team that works in your department.

Our specialists have been working for over 20 years. They are engaged not only in clinical practice, but also in scientific activities. All doctors have the degree of candidates and doctors of medical sciences. They were trained and specialized abroad. At the moment, our department also cooperates with leading neurosurgical clinics that deal with spinal pathology. We are in constant contact with them, we conduct joint scientific projects and constantly exchange practical experience.

Do you treat neuro-oncological diseases?

We have experience working with this category of patients, however, the priority for us is degenerative processes in the spine. There are a lot of patients with such diseases. Every year we perform more than 1000 surgical interventions for this reason.

What symptoms do patients come to you with?

The most common symptom is pain in the spine and limbs. Weakness in the limbs and numbness are also common. Often, patients come to us with dysfunction of the pelvic organs.

Does your department provide only surgical treatment?

Those patients who come to us are candidates for surgical intervention. Of course, we have consultants who conduct outpatient appointments. There are patients who do not need surgery. But those patients who come to our hospital are 100% subject to surgical treatment.

Have you had any deaths during surgery?

There has never been a single incident like this in the entire history of the department.

Please tell us about the process of rehabilitation after a neurosurgical operation.

Thanks to modern technologies, the entire process of postoperative stay of patients in a hospital bed takes no more than 3 days. The vast majority of patients by the end of the first day are already activated, they can walk within the department. As a rule, they are discharged home on the second or third day.

Is the cost of neurosurgical operations affordable for patients?

Constant contact with our foreign colleagues, the opportunity to stay in their clinics, indicates that for patients, including foreigners, treatment here is much more accessible than abroad.

Do you have contact with patients treated in your department?

Patients who have been treated in our department are free to contact us after 5-10 years, if such a need arises. We never refuse additional consultations if they are needed. Our doctors are in constant contact with patients.

Doctor Khizhnyak’s consultation can be obtained online. If the patient needs surgery, MedTour’s coordinating doctors will help organize all stages of treatment from the initial consultation to hospitalization.