Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Dresden – Germany
About Prof. Dr. med. Stephan B. Sobottka
Prof. Dr. med. Stephan B. Sobottka, MBA, is a senior German Neurosurgeon with over 25 years of experience in deep brain stimulation (DBS), epilepsy surgery, vascular neurosurgery, and tumour surgery. As Head of the Department of DBS and Epilepsy Surgery at Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, he is one of the leading functional neurosurgeons in Dresden, Germany.
- 25+ years of experience in Neurosurgery and Functional Neurosurgery
- Habilitation (Privatdozent) and Professor title — TU Dresden, Faculty of Medicine
- MBA in healthcare management — combining clinical and management expertise
- Author of 121+ peer-reviewed scientific publications
- Performed Germany's first directional DBS implantation (Aleva Directstim, 2021)
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- Graduation (Approbation) — Recognised German Medical University
- Postgraduate specialisation in Neurosurgery and Neurosurgical Intensive Care Medicine
- Habilitation (Postdoctoral Lecturing Qualification) — Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, Faculty of Medicine
- MBA (Master of Business Administration) — Healthcare Management
Fellowships & Special Training
- Specialist training in Neurosurgery and Neurosurgical Intensive Care Medicine
- Specialised training in Functional Neurosurgery and Stereotaxy
- Sub-specialty training in Deep Brain Stimulation and Epilepsy Surgery
Certifications & Accreditations
- German Medical Association — Specialist Registration (Facharzt für Neurochirurgie)
- Sub-specialty: Neurosurgical Intensive Care Medicine
- German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC) — Member
- Neurosurgical Research Foundation — Member
- Deputy Head — Technical Committee "Optical Procedures in Medicine," German Society for Biomedical Engineering
Areas of Expertise
Major Conditions Treated
- Parkinson's Disease (DBS)
- Essential Tremor (DBS)
- Dystonia (DBS)
- Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
- Brain Tumours (Gliomas, Meningiomas, Metastases)
- Cerebrovascular Disease (Aneurysms & AVM)
- Spinal Cord Tumours
- Disc Prolapse & Degenerative Spine Disease
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Drop Foot in Multiple Sclerosis (ActiGait Stimulator)
- Hydrocephalus
Sub-specialties
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) & Functional Neurosurgery: Head of DBS and epilepsy surgery, including pioneering directional DBS implants for Parkinson's disease — a leading Neurosurgeon specialist in Dresden, Germany for international patients seeking the best DBS treatment in Germany.
- Epilepsy Surgery: Comprehensive presurgical evaluation and surgical management of drug-resistant epilepsy.
- Tumour & Vascular Neurosurgery: Microsurgical management of brain tumours and cerebrovascular conditions using intraoperative optical and functional imaging — relevant for patients researching the best brain tumour surgeon in Germany.
Advanced Procedures & Treatments
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) — Including Directional DBS
- DBS Programming & Long-Term Management
- Epilepsy Surgery
- Brain Tumour Surgery (Craniotomy)
- Vascular Neurosurgery (Aneurysm Clipping & AVM)
- Spinal Surgery
- Intraoperative Optical Imaging for Functional Brain Mapping
- Stereotactic & Image-Guided Neurosurgery
- Neurostimulator Implants (ActiGait for Drop Foot)
- Neurosurgical Intensive Care
Professional Experience
Current Affiliation
- Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon & Head — DBS and Epilepsy Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, TU Dresden, Germany (Present)
- Professor — Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany (Present)
Past Affiliations
- Asklepios Kliniken Schildautal Seesen, Germany — Department of Neurosurgery (Past, collaborator)
Academic & Research Roles
- Professor of Neurosurgery — Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden
- Clinical Lead — Working Group on Intraoperative Functional Imaging in Neurosurgery (in collaboration with TU Dresden Institute for Biomedical Engineering)
- Deputy Head — Technical Committee "Optical Procedures in Medicine," German Society for Biomedical Engineering
- Reviewer — Multiple national and international peer-reviewed neurosurgery journals
- Principal Investigator — Aleva Directstim post-market follow-up study (PMCF, 62-patient German multicentre study)
Key Achievements
- 25+ years of experience in Neurosurgery and Functional Neurosurgery
- Performed Germany's first Directstim directional DBS implantation in a Parkinson's patient (2021)
- Author of 121+ peer-reviewed scientific publications
- Co-developer of the ActiGait implantable drop-foot stimulator for multiple sclerosis
- Led research on Six Sigma zero-error approach in DBS surgery
Awards & Recognitions
National & International Awards
- Performed Germany's first Directstim directional DBS implantation, 2021
- Recognition for development of the ActiGait implantable drop-foot stimulator
Professional Memberships
- German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC)
- Neurosurgical Research Foundation
- German Society for Biomedical Engineering — Deputy Head, Technical Committee on Optical Procedures in Medicine
Research & Publications
Published Papers (Selected)
- Sobottka SB, et al. "Clinical Validation of Quality Improvements Using the Six Sigma Concept: A Case Study for Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease." Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery.
- Sobottka SB, et al. "Long-term outcome of Parkinson's disease patients with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation versus medical treatment." Movement Disorders journal.
- Polanski WH, Sobottka SB, et al. "Serum neurofilament indicates that DBS surgery can cause neuronal damage whereas stimulation itself does not." (PMC8795190).
- Sobottka SB, Schackert G, et al. "Characterization of cortical hemodynamic changes following sensory, visual, and speech activation by intraoperative optical imaging utilizing phase-based evaluation methods." (PMC8720199).
- Author of 121+ peer-reviewed scientific publications in international neurosurgery and biomedical engineering journals.
Ongoing Research & Clinical Interests
- Intraoperative functional / optical imaging for preservation of eloquent brain functions
- Visualisation of tumour borders during brain surgery
- Deep brain stimulation for movement disorders and chronic pain
- Neurostimulator implants for restoration of lost functions
- Clinical risk management using zero-defect strategies
Estimated Treatment Costs
| Procedure / Consultation | Estimated Cost (INR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Neurosurgery Consultation (Germany) | ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 | $180 – $360 |
| Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) — Bilateral | ₹35,00,000 – ₹60,00,000 | $42,000 – $72,000 |
| Brain Tumour Surgery (Craniotomy) | ₹14,00,000 – ₹28,00,000 | $16,800 – $33,600 |
| Epilepsy Surgery | ₹18,00,000 – ₹35,00,000 | $21,600 – $42,000 |
| Brain Aneurysm Clipping | ₹15,00,000 – ₹30,00,000 | $18,000 – $36,000 |
| Spinal Surgery (Decompression) | ₹8,00,000 – ₹16,00,000 | $9,600 – $19,200 |
*Indicative estimates only. Actual costs subject to hospital pricing, case complexity, and insurance. Contact Cancer Rounds for a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What advanced technologies does Prof. Dr. med. Stephan B. Sobottka use in Neurosurgeon treatment?
Prof. Sobottka uses advanced neurosurgical technologies including directional Deep Brain Stimulation, intraoperative optical imaging for functional brain mapping, stereotactic neurosurgery, neurostimulator implants like the ActiGait drop-foot stimulator, and Six Sigma zero-defect quality protocols. Virtual second opinions are also available for international patients seeking expert DBS or brain surgery care in Germany.
2. What conditions does Prof. Dr. med. Stephan B. Sobottka specialize in treating?
Prof. Sobottka specialises in Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, drug-resistant epilepsy, brain tumours, cerebrovascular disease, spinal cord tumours, disc prolapse, trigeminal neuralgia, chronic pain syndromes, and drop foot in MS — making him a leading Neurosurgeon specialist in Dresden, Germany for movement disorders and functional neurosurgery.
3. How do I book an appointment with Prof. Dr. med. Stephan B. Sobottka?
Appointments with Prof. Dr. med. Stephan B. Sobottka can be booked directly through the Cancer Rounds website or by contacting their international patient department for priority scheduling.
4. Can international patients receive treatment from Prof. Dr. med. Stephan B. Sobottka?
Yes. Cancer Rounds provides full assistance for international patients seeking treatment from Prof. Dr. med. Stephan B. Sobottka, including medical visa invitation letters, airport transfers, and local accommodation coordination.
5. What support is available for international patients?
International patients benefit from a dedicated concierge service provided by Cancer Rounds, including language interpretation, financial counselling, and pre-travel virtual consultations to review medical records before arrival.
6. Does Prof. Dr. med. Stephan B. Sobottka offer second opinions for Neurosurgeon cases?
Yes. Second opinion consultations can be arranged via Cancer Rounds for patients who wish to review their diagnosis or treatment plan with an expert Neurosurgeon specialist in Dresden, Germany — particularly relevant for DBS, epilepsy surgery, and brain tumour cases.
