ABOUT
Dr Ian Human is a Specialist Neurosurgeon who completed his medical degree at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape. He completed his internship training at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital in 2010 and completed his community service at Dora Ngiza Hospital and Livingstone Hospital. At Livingstone Hospital, he was granted the rare opportunity to work in the Department of Neurosurgery. This was when he developed a particular interest in the intricate connections of the brain. Dr Human pursued neurosurgery by becoming a medical officer at Livingstone Hospital in the Department of Neurosurgery and General Surgery in 2012 with the recommendation from the Head of Neurosurgery. He completed his Advanced Trauma Life Support Certificate before moving to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Medical Hospital, where he worked as a Medical Officer until 2014. Dr Human completed his specialisation in neurosurgery in 2019 through the University of Witwatersrand after working as a Casualty Officer at Krugersdorp Netcare Hospital and Pinehaven Netcare Hospital. Dr Human is currently completing his Master of Medicine in Neurosurgery. He treats a wide range of cranial and spinal pathologies and has training in endoscopic surgery techniques. Dr Human strives to make use of neuronavigation to better assist with accurate removal of tumours and biopsies of deep-seated lesions.
Suite 25, Block E Neurosurgery, Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital,
Amplifier Street, Radiokop, Roodepoort, 1724
Services includes :
- Craniotomy
A craniotomy is a surgical procedure where a piece of the skull (bone flap) is removed to access the brain beneath. This is done to treat a variety of neurological disorders. The bone flap is put back in place after the surgery is complete. Dr Human may recommend a craniotomy to treat a neurological disorder such as cancer, a tumour, infection, blood clot, or blood vessel rupture. Retro-sigmoid craniotomy, often called keyhole craniotomy, is a minimally invasive surgery done to remove brain tumours such as meningiomas and acoustic neuromas known as vestibular schwannomas. - Craniectomy
A craniectomy is a surgery performed to remove a part of the skull to relieve pressure in the area where the brain has swelled up. This surgery is usually performed after a traumatic brain injury or to treat conditions that cause the brain to swell, such as bleeds, stroke, and blood clots in the brain arteries. A craniectomy surgery decreases intracranial pressure, intracranial hypertension, or heavy bleeding called haemorrhaging inside the skull. If left untreated, pressure or bleeding can compress the brain and push it down to the brain stem, which may be fatal or cause permanent brain damage. - Elevations of Depressed Skull Fractures
The skull may break or fracture when exposed to direct and forceful impacts. Head trauma is the underlying cause of a skull fracture significant enough to at least break one bone. Skull fractures can be linear with a single fracture line or comminuted where multiple fracture lines are present. Fractures are either open (compounded) fractures or they are closed fractures. Open fractures are where there is a break in the skin or an open wound near the fracture. Closed fractures are where the bone does not penetrate the skin. A depressed skull fracture is when the fractured portion is driven inwards. Elevated skull fractures are where the fractured portion of the skull is elevated above the intact skull level. Dr Human may recommend surgery to help prevent brain damage from occurring. - Ventriculo-Peritoneal Shunts
The ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt is a medical device used to relieve pressure on the brain caused by fluid accumulation. A VP shunt consists of a valve and two tubes called catheters that drain the fluid. It is used to treat a condition called hydrocephalus, where there is excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain's cavities. Brain pressure is caused by increased fluid build-up, which could be harmful. CSF protects the brain and spinal cord by acting as a cushion. - Stereotactic Brain Biopsies
A stereotactic brain biopsy is a procedure that allows the diagnosis of an abnormal part of the brain. It involves removing a small piece of tissue from the brain but may include samples from the scalp, blood vessels, or the outermost membrane covering the brain. Dr Human may recommend a framed or frameless biopsy under general anaesthesia. - Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV)
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy or ETV is a highly specialised treatment for hydrocephalus, a condition where extra fluid in the brain causes pressure. ETV is a treatment that can be an alternative treatment to shunt placement. The procedure is most common for patients with aqueductal stenosis, a blockage that prevents the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is used to divert the flow of CSF and to decrease pressure in the brain. - Cervical Spine Surgery
Cervical spine surgery is performed to relieve neck pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. It is also done to restore nerve function and prohibit or prevent abnormal motion in the neck. Dr Human will perform cervical spine surgery on a selective basis to treat either nerve or spinal cord impingement or spinal instability. Cervical Spine Surgery can be performed either from the front (anterior approach) or from the back (posterior approach). - Thoracic Spine Surgery
Thoracic spine surgery is an effective treatment for mid-back pain. However, it is only considered if conservative treatments have failed to relieve pain that is potentially limiting the ability to function. The upper and middle back portion of the spine is the thoracic spine. Activities such as twisting and bending could result in conditions such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis. Depending on the condition, Dr Human may need to perform more than one procedure to remove a portion of the spinal disk or bone spur and stabilise the spine. Thoracic laminectomy and instrumentation (fusion) is a procedure where the lamina is removed from the vertebral bodies, providing access to remove a tumour and eliminate pressure on the spinal cord. After removing the bone, instrumentation can be done to stabilise the vertebrae. - Lumbar Spine Surgery
Lumbar spine surgery is used to relieve back pain that results from various spinal cord conditions such as back pain, bulging disc, herniated disc, and degenerative disc disease. Lower back surgery's primary goal is to ease pain, stabilise the spine, and restore function by removing pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Lumbar decompression surgery is when a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and or disc is removed to relieve the nerve's pinching. Microdiscectomy and laminectomy are the two most common types of decompression surgery. Lumbar fusion involves using a bone graft to stop the motion at the painful vertebral segment resulting in decreased pain generated from the joint. Dr Human may recommend multilevel spine fusion in cases of scoliosis. - Pain Management for Chronic Back Pain
Back pain could cause mild physical discomfort, but chronic back pain can be debilitating and lead to immobility, emotional distress, and poor quality of life. There is a range of pain management procedures available, and Dr Human may advise caudal epidural adhesiolysis or facet joint block injections as treatment. The primary goal in treating chronic back pain is to improve quality of life by reducing pain and increasing mobility. Caudal epidural adhesiolysis is a minimally invasive procedure that involves injections into the spine to treat conditions such as spinal stenosis, sciatica, radiculopathy, spinal fracture, or failed back surgery. Facet joint blocks or infiltrations are also a minimally invasive procedure involving injections into the spine's facet joints. This procedure is done to treat the same conditions as caudal epidural adhesiolysis and treat muscular spasms.
