Department of Neurosurgery

Founded: 2010

Head of Department: Ruben V. Fanarjyan, MD, PhD, Professor

Neurosurgery was first taught at the Yerevan Medical Institute in 1962 at the base of the Research Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology. At that time, it was headed by Sokrat S. Hovhannisyan, one of the founders of the specialty in Armenia.

From 1964, the neurosurgery clinic of this research institute served as the base for the Yerevan State Medical Institute (YSMI). In 1966, a unified department was established, encompassing traumatology, military surgery, and neurosurgery, which operated until 1971. From 1971 to 2002, “Neurosurgery” was taught alongside nervous diseases as a specialized course under the Department of Neurology. In 2002, the course was separated from the neurology department, and in 2010, it officially gained the status of an independent department. In September 2011, the YSMU Department of Neurosurgery merged with the neurosurgery department of the National Institute of Health (NIH) named after S. Avdalbekyan.

Associate Professor Sokrat Hovhannisyan was the founder and the steadfast head of the neurosurgery course for more than 30 years. In line with modern requirements, alongside the creation of the neurosurgical complex, S. Hovhannisyan trained numerous highly qualified neurosurgeons, many of whom now lead top-tier neurosurgical departments in Armenia and Russia. S. Hovhannisyan served as the director of the Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (1952–1957) and the Rector of YSMU (1962–1966). He held the title of Honored Physician of Armenia, was a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, and was decorated with the Order of the Red Star and five medals. He made a significant contribution to the development of neurosurgery in Armenia and authored numerous scientific works. Since 1994, the structure has been headed by R. V. Fanarjyan.

The Department of Neurosurgery provides education to students of the Faculty of General Medicine and the Faculty of Military Medicine. Since 2005, education in English has been introduced for international students. Neurosurgery is taught in the 4th year and is included in the “Module 19” format. Modern technologies are utilized during the teaching process, including personal computers, overhead projectors, models, and audiovisual equipment.

In recent years, staff members have compiled and published various educational manuals in Armenian, Russian, and English, including:

• Anesthesia and Resuscitation in Acute Cerebral Circulatory Disorders (2002, Yerevan)
• Neurosurgery (2010, Yerevan; in Armenian, Russian, and English)
• Cerebral Strokes (2010, Yerevan)
• Diagnosis and Endomikroneurosurgical Treatment of Lumbar-Sacral Intervertebral Disc Herniations (2011, Yerevan)

Currently, 19 clinical residents and more than 1,000 students are studying at the department.

• “Heratsi” Hospital Complex No. 1 (YSMU)
• “Armenia” Republican Medical Center – Senior Lecturer K.M. Nahapetyan, Lecturer A.V. Kochkanyan
• “Erebouni” Medical Center – MD, PhD, Professor M.A. Yeghunyan
• “Surb Astvatsamayr” Medical Center – Professor M.M. Martirosyan (where specialized classrooms and lecture halls have been established)
• “Artmed” Medical Center – Associate Professor A.N. Zakaryan
• “Surb Grigor Lusavorich” (Saint Gregory the Illuminator) Medical Center – Lecturer S.H. Badalyan, Lecturer R.A. Varosyan
• Mikaelyan Institute of Surgery – Associate Professor D.A. Patrikian

Approximately 200-400 surgeries are performed annually at each base, primarily by the department’s staff.

The department conducts research in several areas, including:

• Investigation of cerebral hemodynamics during various vascular and traumatic brain lesions.
• Study of collateral cerebral circulation possibilities in various brain diseases.
• Research into the ethio-pathogenetic features of intracranial hematomas.
• Surgical treatment of spontaneous cerebral hemorrhages.
• Treatment of severe spinal cord injuries and their complications.
• Since 2010: Active research into endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms in the acute phase of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).
• Invasive treatment of ischemic stroke.
• Treatment of intracerebral and meningeal abscesses.

Key scientific achievements include the defense of doctoral and PhD dissertations on topics such as:

• “Clinico-physiological study of cerebral circulation in various neurosurgical pathologies” (Doctoral, 2010)
• “Comparative evaluation of surgical treatment methods for chronic subdural hematomas” (PhD, 2001)
• “Quantitative characterization of cerebral circulation in severe traumatic brain injuries” (PhD, 2002)
• “A new method for non-invasive measurement of intracranial pressure in neurosurgical practice” (PhD, 2003)
• “Surgical treatment of purulent-focal brain lesions” (PhD, 2007)
• “Clinical features and surgical approach to lumbar intervertebral disc herniations” (PhD, 2010)
• “Diagnosis and treatment features of carotid and vertebral artery injuries accompanying cervical spine fractures” (PhD, 2011)
• “New approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic basal liquorrhea” (PhD, 2014)
• “Scientific and practical foundations for organizing medical care for patients with isolated traumatic brain injuries” (PhD, 2016)

Staff members publish approximately 4-6 scientific papers annually and present numerous reports and posters at national and international conferences.

Future Plans

• Investigation of cerebral hemodynamics in hemorrhagic strokes and subarachnoid hemorrhages.
• Differentiated treatment of intracerebral hematomas of hypertensive etiology.
• Implementation of modern methods in neurosurgical clinical and research practice.
• Endovascular treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.
• Application and evaluation of modern treatment methods for ischemic strokes.

The YSMU Department of Neurosurgery maintains close collaboration and permanent ties with:

• Wellstar Health System (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
• Boston University School of Medicine (USA)
• Burdenko Neurosurgery Institute (Moscow, Russia)
• Hannover University (Germany)
• Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy (Russia) A portion of the clinical residents’ training is conducted at these high-level international clinics.

• Ruben V. Fanarjyan: MD, PhD, Professor, Head of Department
• Mamikon A. Yeghunyan: MD, PhD, Professor
• Margar M. Martirosyan: MD, PhD, Professor
• David A. Patrikian: PhD, Associate Professor
• Arman N. Zakaryan: PhD, Associate Professor
• Karen M. Nahapetyan: PhD, Senior Lecturer
• Rudik A. Varosyan: Lecturer
• Hayk H. Mirzoyan: MD, PhD, Lecturer
• Agasi V. Kochkanyan: PhD, Lecturer
• Sevak H. Badalyan: Lecturer