Medipol University Hospital, İstanbul – Turkey
About Dr. Ali Zirh
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Zırh is a Senior Consultant in Istanbul, Turkey, with over 30 years of experience in functional neurosurgery, deep brain stimulation (DBS), and movement disorder surgery. He is widely recognised among international patients for his Hacettepe-trained background, Johns Hopkins fellowship, and Guinness World Record for the largest number of DBS procedures performed globally.
- 30+ years of clinical experience in functional and stereotactic neurosurgery
- Listed in Guinness Book of World Records (2018) — most DBS procedures performed globally
- 1900+ movement disorder surgeries and 1400+ DBS implantations performed
- 150+ scientific publications and 8 book chapters
- Recipient of the Elekta International Award and Turkish Neurosurgical Society Award
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- MBBS (MD) — Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, 1983
- Specialty in Neurosurgery — Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey, 1988
- M.Sc. in Neurophysiology — Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey, 1994
Fellowships & Special Training
- European Association of Neurosurgical Surgeons (EANS) Diploma — 1994
- Clinical Fellowship — Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, USA
- Stereotactic Neurosurgery Hands-On Training — New Orleans, USA, 1994 and 1995
- Deep Brain Stimulation Training — Minneapolis, USA, 1996
- Surgical Treatment for Movement Disorders — Montreal, Canada, 1996
- Management of Patients with Deep Brain Stimulators — Kiel, Germany, 2001
Certifications & Accreditations
- Turkish Neurosurgery Association — Member
- European Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery — Member
- World Federation of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery — Member
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) — Member
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) — Member
- The Movement Disorder Society — Member
- Parkinson's Disease Association — Member
Areas of Expertise
Major Conditions Treated
- Parkinson's Disease
- Essential Tremor
- Dystonia (including Cervical and Generalised)
- Epilepsy (Surgical Evaluation)
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Huntington's Disease
- Tourette Syndrome
- Cerebral Palsy (Children and Adults)
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Movement Disorders (Tremor and Spasticity)
Sub-specialties
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): World-record-holding expertise in DBS implantation with awake, microelectrode-recording technique — making him a trusted neurosurgeon for international patients seeking the best DBS specialist in Turkey.
- Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery: Comprehensive surgical management of Parkinson's, dystonia, essential tremor, and other movement disorders.
- MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS): Non-surgical, advanced-technology treatment for Essential Tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease.
Advanced Procedures & Treatments
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Implantation
- Awake Microelectrode Recording and Stimulation Technique
- MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) Therapy
- Stereotactic Lesioning Procedures
- Pallidotomy and Thalamotomy
- Functional Neurosurgical Interventions for Pain
- DBS Programming and Long-Term Patient Management
Professional Experience
Current Affiliation
- Medipol Acıbadem District Hospital — Medipol University Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center (PARMER), Istanbul, Turkey — Associate Professor & Senior Consultant (Present)
Past Affiliations
- Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey — Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, 2015–onwards
- Medical Park Bahcelievler Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey — Senior Neurosurgeon, 2009–2015
- VKV American Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey — Neurosurgeon, 1997 onwards
- Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey — Neurosurgery Specialty Training, 1988–1994
Academic & Research Roles
- Author of 150+ scientific publications and 8 book chapters
- Visiting faculty — Boston University, USA (DBS techniques)
- Donor — Turkish Neurosurgical Society for functional neurosurgery training
Key Achievements
- Listed in Guinness Book of World Records (2018) — most DBS procedures globally
- 1900+ movement disorder surgeries and 1400+ DBS implantations performed
- Pioneer in awake microelectrode recording and stimulation technique
- International Training and Reference Center under his leadership
Awards & Recognitions
National & International Awards
- Guinness Book of World Records (2018) — Largest number of DBS procedures performed globally
- Elekta International Award
- Turkish Neurosurgical Society Award
Professional Memberships
- Turkish Neurosurgery Association
- European Association of Neurosurgeons (EANS)
- European Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
- World Federation of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
- The Movement Disorder Society
- American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
- Parkinson's Disease Association
Research & Publications
Published Papers (Selected)
- 150+ peer-reviewed scientific publications and 8 book chapters in international journals — full bibliographic details not publicly available.
Ongoing Research & Clinical Interests
- Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's, Essential Tremor, and Dystonia
- Awake microelectrode recording and stimulation technique
- MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for movement disorders
- Functional neurosurgery teaching and international training
Estimated Treatment Costs
| Procedure / Consultation | Estimated Cost (INR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Neurosurgery / Functional Consultation | ₹4,000 – ₹10,000 | $50 – $120 |
| Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Implantation | ₹18,00,000 – ₹25,00,000 | $22,000 – $30,000 |
| MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) | ₹10,00,000 – ₹16,00,000 | $12,000 – $20,000 |
| Pallidotomy / Thalamotomy | ₹6,00,000 – ₹12,00,000 | $7,500 – $15,000 |
| Trigeminal Neuralgia Surgery | ₹4,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| DBS Battery Replacement | ₹4,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 | $5,000 – $10,000 |
*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 Dr. Ali Zirh use in treatment?
Dr. Ali Zırh uses advanced functional neurosurgery technologies including awake DBS implantation with microelectrode recording, MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for non-surgical tremor treatment, stereotactic lesioning systems, and modern DBS programming platforms. Virtual consultations are available for international patients. Contact Cancer Rounds for a detailed technology overview specific to your case.
2. What conditions does Dr. Ali Zirh specialize in treating?
Dr. Ali Zırh is a specialist functional neurosurgeon practising in Istanbul, Turkey, treating Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia, Huntington's disease, Tourette syndrome, cerebral palsy, and chronic pain syndromes. International patients consult him for advanced deep brain stimulation (DBS) and movement disorder surgery in Turkey.
3. How do I book an appointment with Dr. Ali Zirh?
Appointments with Dr. Ali Zırh 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 Dr. Ali Zirh?
Yes. Cancer Rounds provides full assistance for international patients seeking treatment from Dr. Ali Zırh, 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 Dr. Ali Zirh offer second opinions for cases?
Yes. Second opinion consultations can be arranged via Cancer Rounds for patients who wish to review their diagnosis or surgical plan with an expert functional neurosurgery specialist in Istanbul, Turkey.
