Profile

Filippos Varotsis completed his medical studies at the Sapienza University of Rome and began his mandatory Rural Medical Service at the Samothrace Health Center. He completed his residency in Neurosurgery at the "A. Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, "Agia Sophia" Children's Hospital, "Pammakaristos" General Hospital, and "Agios Savvas" Oncology Hospital.

He continued his professional medical career as a salaried associate at the private hospitals Hygeia and Apollonion, and subsequently served as a Consultant at "Metaxa" and "Tzaneio" hospitals. Later, he was appointed Director at the Panarkadiko Hospital of Tripoli (Greece), where he founded and organized the Neurosurgery Department.

Today, he operates a private practice in Tripoli and maintains professional collaborations with Metropolitan Hospital (Neo Faliro) and Vougiouklakeio Clinic (Egaleo).

Surgical Experience & Specialization

Throughout his career, he has performed over 4,000 successful surgeries covering the following conditions:

• Acute Epidural and Subdural Hematomas: Management of intracranial hemorrhages requiring immediate surgical intervention.

• Chronic Subdural Hematomas: Surgical treatment of chronic bleeding causing mass effect on the brain.

• Posterior Fossa Hematomas: Removal of hematomas in the posterior cranial vault.

• Cranioplasty: Reconstruction and restoration of the skull to treat injuries and abnormalities.

• Meningoplasty for CSF Leaks: Procedures to repair cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks through the meninges.

• Brain and Posterior Fossa Tumors: Resection of tumors such as gliomas, meningiomas, and abscesses in the brain and posterior cranial fossa.

• VP & VS Shunt Placement: Implementation of Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) and Ventriculosyringeal (VS) shunts to regulate CSF pressure and circulation.

• External Ventricular Drainage (EVD): External drainage of CSF for the treatment of hydrocephalus and other conditions.

• Lumboperitoneal Shunts: Drainage of CSF from the lumbar region to the peritoneal cavity.

• Spine Disorders: Treatment of spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and spinal tumors.

• Peripheral Nerve Disorders: Surgical management of peripheral nerve issues, including the ulnar and median nerves, and conditions such as Dupuytren's disease.

Methodologies and Technologhies used for threatment

1. Vascular & Hematoma Management

For conditions like Chronic Subdural Hematoma (cSDH) and Posterior Fossa Hematomas, the goal has shifted from just "draining" to "preventing recurrence."

• Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization (MMAE): A revolutionary minimally invasive procedure where interventionalists block the "leaky" vessels supplying the hematoma membrane. As of 2026, clinical trials like EMMA-Can have confirmed this significantly slashes recurrence rates compared to surgery alone.

• Endoscopic Evacuation: Instead of "blind" drainage through burr holes, we now use flexible and rigid neuro-endoscopes (and even repurposed spinal endoscopes) to visualize and remove septated (walled-off) clots and membranes directly.

• Intraoperative CTA/CT: Real-time imaging in "Hybrid ORs" allows us to confirm complete evacuation of deep-seated hematomas before the patient even leaves the table.

2. Neuro-Oncology (Brain Tumors)

Treating brain tumors now relies heavily on "seeing the invisible" and "opening doors" for drugs.

• Fluorescence-Guided Surgery (FGS): Technologies like 5-ALA (Glow-in-the-dark tumor cells) and Indocyanine Green (ICG) allows us to distinguish between healthy brain tissue and infiltrative tumor margins under specialized microscope filters.

• High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU): Used to non-invasively disrupt the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), allowing chemotherapy and immunotherapy (like CAR T-cells) to reach the tumor site more effectively.

• AI-Enhanced Navigation (e.g., Stealth AXiS): 2026 systems now integrate real-time "brain shift" corrections, using AI to update the surgical map as the brain moves during the operation.

3. Cranial Reconstruction & CSF Leaks

Cranioplasty and CSF repair have become highly personalized through additive manufacturing.

• 3D-Printed PEEK Implants: Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is the 2026 gold standard for cranioplasty. These are custom-milled from the patient's CT scans using AI-assisted modeling to ensure a perfect fit that mimics the skull's natural contour and thermal properties.

• Vascularized Reconstruction: For complex CSF leaks, we are using advanced endonasal flaps and synthetic "bio-glues" that promote faster dural healing and reduce the risk of meningitis.

• Bioresorbable Scaffolds: Emerging tech for smaller defects where the "bone" printed by the machine is eventually replaced by the patient's own growing tissue.

4. Spine & Peripheral Nerve Disorders

The focus here is on robotics and bioelectronics.

• Robotic-Assisted Spine Surgery: Systems like the da Vinci SP and Medtronic Stealth are now used for ultra-precise percutaneous screw placement, reducing radiation exposure and recovery time.

• Piezoelectric Nerve Guidance Conduits (NGCs): For peripheral nerve repairs, 2026 sees the use of smart scaffolds that generate tiny self-powered electrical pulses when the patient moves, stimulating the nerve to regrow faster across the gap.

• Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR): A methodology used during nerve repair or amputation to "rewire" nerves into nearby muscles, preventing chronic phantom pain and allowing for better control of advanced bionic prosthetics.

5. Hydrocephalus & Shunt Technology

• Digital Valve Programming: Modern shunts can be adjusted externally with a smartphone-linked device, allowing for "on-the-fly" pressure changes without repeat surgeries.

• Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) + CPC: A methodology that creates a natural bypass for CSF, often eliminating the need for a permanent mechanical shunt altogether.

Scientific Work

Filippos Varotsis has contributed significantly to the scientific community through his participation in Greek and international conferences, presenting pioneering research. He has published numerous scientific papers in reputable Greek and international medical journals, advancing knowledge in the field of Neurosurgery.

Educational Work

As an instructor, he has provided vital training in polytrauma management through lectures at the Vocational Training Center (KEK) of the "Tzaneio" University General Hospital of Piraeus. Additionally, he has conducted neurosurgical educational courses at the Tripoli Hospital, contributing to the training of medical students and residents, and empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals with clinical knowledge and practical skills.