Experts from the Inside Out
At UPMC, leading experts in neurosurgery, otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, ophthalmology, radiology, and plastic surgery collaborate to provide innovative treatments for tumors and other problems related to the brain and spinal cord.
Our surgeons use an "inside out" approach that starts with the treatment target, then seeks the least invasive means of reaching it. In the past, operating on the brain and spinal cord involved working "outside in" -- cutting through the skull, face, or back to reach the target. Often, these methods result in disfigurement, tissue damage, and long, painful recovery periods for the patient. In some cases, the risks caused by these invasive procedures made it impossible to attempt treatment at all.
Our surgeons now treat a wide range of brain and spinal cord conditions with minimally invasive surgery that preserves sensitive tissue, reduces risk of disfigurement and disabilities, and can shorten recovery periods to as little as 24 to 48 hours.