The Department of Neurosurgery and Spinal Surgery is run by an interdisciplinary management team: Dr. Ralf Hempelmann, University Lecturer is a specialist in neurosurgery and Dr. Hans-Wolfram Ulrich, University Lecturer, a specialist in orthopedics and accident surgery.

Patients schedule appointments during office hours with one of the medical staff for a spine consultation. They are given a comprehensive evaluation of their clinical picture, therapeutic procedures and possible alternatives. Should the decision fall in favor of surgery, the doctors will explain all conceivable risks in great detail. Patients are given an admission date and after their spine consultation present to the anesthesiology department.

Normally, patients are admitted to the hospital the day before their operation and should always bring with them their radiological images, which have to be available in the operating room during the operation.

The procedures are carried out microsurgically. Depending on the diagnosis and indication, surgeries such as herniated disc procedures or stabilizations, are also performed minimally invasively. Certain tumor operations or interventions to relieve the spinal cord will additionally use intraoperative neuromonitoring. Surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. The duration depends on the type of clinical picture. After the operation, the patient is taken to the recovery room, or, if concomitant diseases are present, transferred to the ICU until the next day. Further treatment takes place on the general neurosurgery ward.

Mobilization usually starts on the evening of surgery, but at the latest on the next day.

The Social Services staff will discuss and organize rehabilitation therapy with the patient. Rehabilitation therapy can often be carried out on an outpatient basis, but sometimes hospitalization is required.