BridgeHealth International: Neurosurgery in Costa Rica

BridgeHealth has assembled the most extensive provider network in the medical travel industry, with over 25 hospitals and 600 physicians, dentists and health professionals in more than 12 countries – and growing.  The network of accredited facilities and world-class practitioners—the World-Class Provider Network™—allows you to take advantage of the benefits of medical travel without the uncertainties and guesswork.  Every aspect of our society is moving toward a global marketplace, and medicine is no exception. Increasingly, people are traveling abroad for high-quality medical care that offers immediate service and access to procedures that may not be available locally.

Why travel to Costa Rica for neurosurgery?

Costa Rica is the perfect location for medical tourism. With its white sand beaches, generous hospitality, affordable luxuries and medical expertise, this geographically desirable Central American nation is an ideal destination for many procedures.

BridgeHealth provides a range of healthcare services including Neurosurgery in Costa Rica.

Neurosurgery in Costa Rica

BridgeHealth’s feature providers have a complete range of services for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders.  Procedures for neck, upper and lower spine, brain and skull are available through means of traditional surgery as well as unique new technologies such as CyberKnife®, proton beam therapy, and stem cell therapy.

Surgical Procedures 

• Discectomy: Discectomy is one of the most common back operations. It involves removing the protruding disc, either a portion of it or all of it, that is placing pressure on the nerve root.  This operation has a very high rate of success. In the classic discectomy, the surgeon makes a small incision over the disc to be operated upon, and removes only the disc material that is pressing on a nerve.  

• Microdiscectomy: Microdiscectomy is similar to discectomy except that it is done with the use of magnification such as an operating microscope and requires a smaller incision.  The surgeon removes the disc, freeing the compressed nerve.  Microdiscectomy often requires shorter hospital stays.

• Percutaneous disc removal: This procedure involves removing the problem disc fragment through an endoscope - a small tube inserted through a tiny opening in the skin of the back.  A miniature video camera is attached to the tube.  Using specially designed surgical instruments on the end of the tube, a surgeon can cut away parts of the disc and remove them by suction through the tube.  This leaves structures important to stability practically unaffected. 

• This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis (without an overnight hospital stay), and recovery is generally faster and less painful.  It is less expensive and does not require general anesthesia.

• Spinal fusion: This is a process in which two vertebrae are joined together.  Bone grafts are placed between or alongside the vertebrae, to join the bones together.  Metal plates and screws are often used to attach the bones to be joined as an internal brace.

• A complete range of spinal surgical procedures is available for stabilizing the spine using metal implants.  These are used in cases of spinal instability from spinal injuries, tuberculosis & tumors.  This allows early ambulation, facilitates rehabilitation and early discharge from hospital. 

• Laminectomy: Laminectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing the laminae parts of the vertebrae.  These are the areas of bone in the back of the vertebrae.  

• Laminotomy: Laminotomy refers simply to the creation of a small window in the lamina, rather than removing the lamina, in order for the surgeon to reach the disc or spinal canal.  This is commonly done when performing a discectomy (removing a disc).  

• Rhizotomy: It is a procedure in which the nerve root close to where it enters the spinal cord is cut to block nerve transmission and all senses from the area of the body experiencing pain.  

• Cordotomy: A cordotomy is where bundles of nerve fibers on one or both sides of the spinal cord are intentionally severed to stop the transmission of pain signals to the brain.  

• DREZ (dorsal root entry zone operation): This is a procedure in which spinal neurons transmitting the patient's pain are destroyed surgically.  

• Total disc replacement for both the neck (cervical) and back (lumbar) spine are available.  

• Chiari Malformation surgery:  This is a procedure where a small area of the bone at the base of the skull is removed to enlarge the area in the lower rear skull being compressed into the spinal canal and allow spinal fluid to flow more freely.

Get Started: Build Your Bridge Today 

Your journey into international healthcare starts by providing us with the information we need to best assist you. Please begin by filling out our Short Form Inquiry. If you are unsure about how to answer any questions on the form, a BridgeHealth Travel Care Coordinator will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns.

After your Short Form Inquiry is complete, a Travel Care Coordinator or BridgeHealth Nurse will review your information with international surgeons and contact you within 24-48 hours. This allows them to give you the most precise pricing estimate, tailored to your exact wants and needs.

Contact Details 

BridgeHealth International, Inc.

5299 DTC Blvd Suite 800

Greenwood Village, CO 80111

United States

Toll Free from the US and Canada

800.680.1366

International Calls

+1.303.457.5760 

Email: info@BridgeHealthInternational.com 

Web: www.BridgeHealthInternational.com