Erkan Kaptanoglu (Erkan Kaptanoğlu)

About doctor Erkan Kaptanoglu (Erkan Kaptanoğlu)

Professor Dr. Erkan Kaptanoglu is an experienced neurosurgeon and neurologist with an impressive work experience. He has performed numerous surgeries on some of the most complex neurosurgical cases, including gliomas, pituitary adenomas, meningiomas, brain hemorrhages, brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, trauma and vascular neurosurgery.

The doctor has actively conducted research in the field of surgery for spinal deformities such as scoliosis and kyphosis, and has also been involved in complex research in spinal surgery, including thoracoscopic spinal surgery and sacral tumor surgery.

His scientific interest has also included experimental research and studies in the field of stem cell therapy and regeneration in spinal cord injuries.

Currently, Dr. Kaptanoglu actively performs neurosurgical operations and helps patients with the most complex cases.

Professor Kaptanoglu has actively participated as an instructor and speaker in numerous national and international courses and conferences. The doctor has participated as an invited speaker at more than 100 meetings and held numerous conferences.

The doctor has written 65 articles published in international indexed periodicals and 35 in national scientific journals. In addition, he has edited seven books and written 52 book chapters. Dr. Kaptanoglu has also served on the organizing committees of five international meetings and 22 national meetings.

Dr. Kaptanoglu is fluent in English and can communicate with international patients.

Professional experience

• 1990 – Graduated from Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine.
• 1991 – Internship at Peterborough City Hospital and Lincoln City Hospital in England.
• 1991-1992 – Mandatory service.
• 1992-1997 – Specialization in neurosurgery at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, appointment as a Chief Assistant at this hospital.
• 1998 – 1999 – Research Fellow at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, where he conducted research under the supervision of Professor Dr. Charles Tator on the topic of “Spinal cord injury and spinal cord regeneration”.
• 1999 – On behalf of the Turkish Ministry of Health, he established a field hospital in Şemdinli, Hakkari and provided medical assistance through the Red Crescent. In addition, he volunteered to participate in the aftermath of the Marmara earthquake in 1999.
• 2000 – 2001 – Served on the editorial boards of Turkish Journal of Neurosurgery and Turkish Neurosurgery.
• 2001 – 2006 – Assistant Editor at Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi and Turkish Neurosurgery Journal.
• In addition, Dr. Kaptanoglu held leadership positions at the Turkish Neurosurgical Association.
• 2002 – 2003 – Chairman of the Young Neurosurgeons Committee.
• 2003 – 2009 – Served on the Board of Directors of the Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society, subsequently re-elected in 2013, and became the Chairman in 2015.
• 2004 – Associate Professor of Neurosurgery.
• 2000 – 2005 – Earned a Doctorate in Advanced Neurological Sciences at the Institute of Medical Sciences, Hacettepe University. During this time, he collaborated with the Neurosurgery and Hematology Clinics of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, participating in a project on autologous stem cell therapy for the treatment of human spinal cord injuries.
• 2005 – Received the title of Doctor of Science (PhD).
• 2009 – Deputy Director of the 1st Neurosurgery Clinic at Ankara Numune Hospital. Here, the doctor was involved in both management and complex neurosurgical cases, including pediatric, trauma, cranial, spinal and vascular neurosurgery.
• Throughout his career, he has conducted academic research at the Department of Anatomy of Ankara University, and in various research laboratories at both Ankara University and Hacettepe University, focusing on the advancement of complex spinal surgical procedures.
• In 2010 – The doctor moved to Cyprus. In collaboration with Hacettepe University, he founded the Faculty of Medicine at the Near East University Hospital, where he was appointed as a professor.
• 2010 – 2015 – Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Near East University and served as the Deputy Chief Physician-Founder of the University Training and Research Hospital in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
• 2015 – 2018 – Joined the Department of Neurosurgery at Marmara University Faculty of Medicine and served as the Head of the Department.
• 2018 – Elected to the Board of Directors of the Turkish Academy of Neurosurgery.
• 2019 – Retired as the Director of the Institute of Neurological Sciences and a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine.
• 2019 – 2020 – Worked as an adjunct professor at Başkent University.
• Currently, Prof. Dr. Erkan Kaptanoglu continues his clinical practice in his private clinic and at the Istanbul Brain and Spine Center. He performs complex surgeries, complemented by his national and international academic research.
• 2023 – Neurosurgeon at Istanbul Okan University Hospital.

Doctor’s specialty

Dr. Kaptanoglu’s clinical and research interests include:

• Performing complex cranial, spinal, pediatric, trauma and vascular neurosurgical interventions.
• During the period of his active collaboration with the Department of Anatomy of Ankara University and the research laboratories of Ankara University and Hacettepe University, he made a significant contribution to the development of complex spinal surgeries.
• Conducting research related to spinal cord regeneration and reconnecting injured spinal cords using peripheral nerve grafts.
• Research on animal tissues on neuroprotection, especially in the context of spinal cord injuries, including research in stem cell therapy and regeneration in complex spinal cord injuries.
• Actively involved in surgical cases, clinical trials and laboratory research.