Dr. Matt Abbas El-Kadi serves as chief of neurosurgery at UPMC Passavant. He is vice chairman and clinical professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Matt received his training in complex spinal surgery at Allegheny General Hospital. He completed his neurosurgery residency training at West Virginia University and neurosurgery research fellowship at LAC, USC Medical Center, and a clinical fellowship in neurosurgery at Hartford Hospital, University of Connecticut. Dr. Matt is certified in neurological surgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He specializes in treating complicated spine disorders, including spinal fusion and instrumentation and minimally invasive spinal surgery, with a special interest in removing primary and secondary spinal tumors.
Best Neurosurgeons in Pittsburgh
Handpicked Top 3 Neurosurgeons in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All of our neurosurgeons actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!
MATT ABBAS EL-KADI, MD, PHD REVIEWS
Dr. El-Kadi’s reputation, years of experience, surgical expertise and recommendations from our pain management physician led us to choose him to be my husband’s neurosurgeon. He and his physician assistant provided a seamless pre-operative office visit that prepared my husband for an outpatient Lumbar Micro-discectomy for a bulging disc that was causing significant life limiting pain and weakness from hip to toe. We live greater than 2 hours away from UPMC PASSAVANT where the surgery was performed. Our 5 star experience there from check in to checkout reassured us that we were in more than capable hands and the distance travelled was irrelevant. The safety, care, and comfort provided by waiting room attendants, pre and post op nurses, and anesthesia staff did not go unnoticed. All of these professionals support Dr. El-Kadi and allow him to do what he does best. My husband experienced relief of his pain and foot numbness upon awakening in recovery room.
After several months of dealing with increasing back, hip, and leg pain I came to see Dr. El Kadi. He and his Assistant Erin quickly identified the problem, Spinal Stenosis and herniated disc in lower lumbar. Dr El Kadi scheduled surgery for 3/23/22 and moved it up because of a cancellation to 3/10/22. Waking up in recovery I immediately noticed the back , hip and leg pain was almost completely gone. After that the nursing staff took over and gave me some of the best post operative care I ever received. I am so grateful for how compassionate and professional they performed their duties, working tirelessly on long shifts. All the nurses treated me wonderful but I have to mention Katie, Deni, and Nancy in particular. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
At 41, I had a two-level ACDF procedure completed by Dr. El-Kadi in January of 2022. I had numbness in both hands and significant pain in my shoulder, forearm, and hand. Immediately following surgery, all the pain from the compressed nerve was gone. In the six weeks since surgery, I only have minor numbness that has become less and less noticeble as time goes on. I am extremely grateful for the care that Dr. El-Kadi and his staff have provided!!
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Dr. Paul Andrew Gardner practices at UPMC Neurological Institute. He received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Paul completed his residency in neurological surgery at UPMC and a fellowship in endoscopic endonasal and open skull base surgery at UPMC. He is a member of several professional organizations, such as the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, North American Skull Base Society, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Acoustic Neuroma Association, and the Pituitary Network Association. He is a Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Paul specializes in open and minimally invasive skull base surgery and vascular neurosurgery. He continues evaluating clinical cohorts of patients with skull base tumors to show the impact and outcomes of treatment, largely endoscopic endonasal surgery.
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PAUL ANDREW GARDNER, MD - UPMC NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE REVIEWS
Dr. Gardner removed my daughter’s pituitary microadenoma that was causing her Cushing’s disease. Brain surgery on its own is scary, but during a pandemic added to the stress. Dr. Gardner and his team were great. We met virtually and surgery was scheduled right away. Things went smoothly and the tumor was removed successfully. Dr. Gardner has been wonderful and we can’t thank him enough.
Dr. Gardner is such a wonderful doctor! My mother had a brain tumor removed for the 2nd time about 5 years ago. We were recommended to Dr. Gardner after her first surgery was not successful in our hometown. Dr. Garder was so understanding and spent the time with my mom explaining everything and answering all of our questions. He is a fantastic human being and I have absolutely nothing but wonderful things to say. Also ladies, he is so handsome!!!
I can't express how grateful I am to Dr.Gardner and everyone else who has been involved with my diagnosis,surgery and recovery. He has made this whole experience amazing! Everyone has always made me feel at ease and unafraid throughout this amazing chapter of my life! I have never felt so lucky to have met him.
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Dr. Adam S. Kanter practices at UPMC Neurological Institute. He obtained his MD from the Univ. Vermont College of Medicine. Dr. Adam completed his neurosurgical residency at the University of Virginia. He completed his sub-specialty fellowship training in minimally invasive spine surgery at the University of California and Auckland City Hospital. Dr. Adam is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Medical Association, and Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He specializes in neurologic surgery, specifically minimally invasive spine surgery, artificial disc surgery, and scoliosis. Dr. Adam has written numerous papers in refereed journals, authored several book chapters, and provides editorial service to several peer-reviewed journals. His research focuses on patient-derived clinical outcome measures, explicitly evaluating the utility of minimally invasive and lateral access surgical corridors.
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ADAM S. KANTER, MD - UPMC NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE REVIEWS
Dr. Kanter performed what was considered a high-risk surgery to level L-3/4 of my lumbar spine. 2 years ago with a different surgeon a previous lumbar surgery resulted in 2 additional surgeries from complications. Dr. Kanter spent the time and clearly explained all the risks involved to me. After my own research learning of Dr. Kanter's education and experience, I felt both comfortable and privileged for him to agree to perform my surgery. After only a week from the performed spinal fusion surgery, I have complete strength and use of my right leg again and I feel as my recovery is already happening quite quickly. I can not express how grateful I am to have Dr. Kanter as my surgeon and I would highly recommend his skillfulness and abilities to others.
I had a Microdisectomy done by Dr. Kanter. I had l4/l5 massive herniation witch cause lower back pain, and pain in my leg shooting to my foot on the right side only. I tried everything from medication steroids, chiropractic care, spinal manipulation and I skipped the x-ray guided shots because I was in very bad pain and needed this fix badly. Dr. Kanter looked at my MRI and new I needed surgery and said he could do the surgery and get the pressure off my nerve. which he did because after surgery I had no pain like I did before the surgery. I am 1 day out of surgery recovering very well. all I can do is fallow instructions and pray for a full recovery. Thank you doctor Kanter for relieving my pain. Definitely a world class doctor. and staff.
I cannot say enough nice things about Dr Kanter and his entire staff. For the first time in over a year I feel like I might get my life back. This was my third back surgery and I’m so grateful to have found Dr. Kanter.
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