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Jho Institute for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery

At Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Neuroscience Institute, you have access to neurosurgeons with profound experience and expertise.

AHN’s brain and spine surgeons use some of the latest minimally invasive techniques to provide life-changing relief to patients affected by the debilitating symptoms of many neurological conditions. Experience our world-class care for yourself at AHN’s Neuroscience Institute.

What is endoscopic neurosurgery?

We always have your best long-term health in mind. Together with you, we determine whether traditional surgery or a minimally invasive surgical option is best for your unique case. If you are a candidate for a minimally invasive options, your physician may recommend endoscopic neurosurgery. In endoscopic brain and spine surgeries, a surgeon makes a small incision. The surgeon inserts a small tube called an endoscope that has a lens or camera on its tip. The scope is connected to a high-definition monitor that provides the surgeon with a detailed view of the area. Learn more about neuroendoscopy.

Dr. Jho: endoscopic neurosurgery innovator

Dr. Jho is a professor and chairman of the department of neuroendoscopy and the director of the Jho Institute for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He has been a member of AHN’s expert neurosurgical team since 2001.

Despite advances in brain and spine surgery, the risks are still significant. Dr. Jho and his team at the Institute focus on developing neurosurgical techniques to make these surgeries more effective while minimizing the risks and reducing the length of recovery.

Dr. Jho earned his medical doctorate degree at Chonnam University Medical School in South Korea in 1971. During his career, he has earned his expertise in neurobiochemistry and neurosurgery and made significant contributions to advance endoscopic techniques in the field. He is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons and has published hundreds of articles, abstracts, and book chapters on his invaluable work. Learn more about Hae-Dong Jho, MD, PhD.

Endoscopic innovations at the Jho Institute for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery

Dr. Jho’s neuroendoscopic advances have been instrumental in the development of new, less invasive ways to treat a wide range of brain and spinal diseases.

Endoscopic spine surgery

Dr. Jho helped pioneer several innovative endoscopic surgical techniques that help preserve spinal structures and function. Using this approach, we treat many patients with cervical disk herniation, cervical stenosis, thoracic disc herniation, lumbar disc herniation, lumbar stenosis, spinal cord tumors, and other types of complex spine disease. Learn more about minimally invasive spine surgery.

Types of endoscopic spine surgery:

Endoscopic chiari decompression

Chiari malformation is when the brain tissue extends into your spinal canal. It can occur when  part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward. For some patients endoscopic, minimally invasive decompression surgery may be an option. This surgery usually requires a smaller incision and can result in a quicker recovery. 

Endoscopic cervical laminectomy

Spinal stenosis and spinal decompression is often caused by conditions such as arthritis, enlarged joints, bulging discs, bone spurs and thickened ligaments. This can cause pain, numbness or weakness in your arms and legs. If physical therapy and/or medications do not improve your symptoms, surgery may be recommended. Some patients may be eligible for an Endoscopic Cervical Laminectomy which is a minimally invasive option that requires a small incision and can often be performed as an outpatient surgery. 

Endoscopic anterior cervical foraminotomy

Cervical stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck or the upper part of the spine which places pressure on the spinal cord.

A procedure pioneered by Dr. Jho, endoscopic anterior foraminotomy, can be performed without a spinal fusion. If a patient is a candidate, this procedure is often an outpatient procedure. 

Endoscopic thoracic discectomy

 A thoracic disc herniation is a spinal condition that occurs when a thoracic disc bulges out from between your vertebrae. The herniated disc presses against your nerves or spinal cord and can cause pain, numbness, trouble walking, and weakness among other symptoms.

If patients are eligible, Dr. Jho and his team can perform an endoscopic thoracic discectomy – a procedure with a smaller incision and patients can usually go home that day.  

Endoscopic lumbar decompression

Lumbar stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower part of your spine, compressing the nerves traveling through the lower back into your legs. This can cause a variety of painful symptoms. If non-surgical options do not, work, patients may be eligible for Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression surgery. This is often performed as an outpatient surgery through a small incision and without a spinal fusion.

Endoscopic transthoracic T2 and T3 sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis

Lumbar stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower part of your spine, compressing the nerves traveling through the lower back into your legs. This can cause a variety of painful symptoms. If non-surgical options do not, work, patients may be eligible for Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression surgery. This is often performed as an outpatient surgery through a small incision and without a spinal fusion.

Endoscopic brain surgery

Dr. Jho also helped develop intricate minimally invasive techniques to treat a wide range of brain conditions using tools similar to those used in endoscopic spine surgery. These innovations lead to fewer risks for patients during surgery and less scarring afterward.

Dr. Jho’s endoscopic brain surgery advances include:

  • Endoscopic endonasal pituitary and skull base procedures: This surgery removes brain tumors through the nose without an incision. For patients who are eligible, it can be highly effective for treating pituitary tumors and certain types of skull base lesions. Patients may experience fewer side effects and a quicker recovery. Learn more about pituitary neuroendocrine care.
  • Endoscopic transcranial skull base brain surgery: This procedure involves making a small hole in the various part of the skull to treat brain tumors and aneurysms. For some patients this less invasive surgery is an option. Learn more about brain surgery.
  • Cranial nerve surgery: Endoscopic microvascular decompression is a less invasive brain surgery that involves separating away the offending compressive blood vessels from the cranial nerves. Some patients with trigeminal neuralgia, geniculate neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia or hemifacial spasm due to cranial nerve disorders have experienced lasting relief from this treatment. For each patient, we will determine whether a traditional or minimally invasive approach is most appropriate for your unique case.
  • Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV): This procedure is used to treat hydrocephalus (cerebrospinal fluid buildup in the brain). For some patients, it is a less invasive option. Accessing the brain through a small hole in the skull, a surgeon makes a tiny incision to divert fluid and restore normal fluid flow. Learn more about hydrocephalus treatment.

Contact us

Call (412) 359-6110 to contact the Jho Institute for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery.

If you are an international patient, please contact us via our International Patient Form.