Neurosurgery Patients, May We Have Your Attention: The “Vestibular Schwannoma Program of Samii Skull Base Surgery Center ” Has Been Launched at the Fourth People’s Hospital of Shenzhen-Hospital News-SSIMC-Preview

Neurosurgery Patients, May We Have Your Attention: The “Vestibular Schwannoma Program of Samii Skull Base Surgery Center ” Has Been Launched at the Fourth People’s Hospital of Shenzhen

2025-08-26

From August 23 to 26, Prof.Madjid Samii, a leading authority in the field of neurosurgery, once again led an international medical team to visit the Fourth People’s Hospital of Shenzhen for medical engagement and clinical services.

Prof.Madjid Samii is a world-renowned neurosurgeon and the team leader of German side in partnership with the Fourth People’s Hospital of Shenzhen (Shenzhen Samii Medical Center). This visit once again brought hope to neurosurgery patients in Shenzhen and across China, while also injecting new vitality into the medical development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

“The Father of Skull Base Surgery” : A Cross-Border Commitment to Medicine

Acclaimed as the “Leading Authority in Neurosurgery“, Prof. Madjid Samii holds numerous prestigious titles. He is a world-renowned German neurosurgeon, Lifetime Honorary President of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS), Hospital Director of the International Neuroscience Institute (INI) in Hannover, Germany, and Founder of the International Innovative Medical Solutions (IIMS) in Hannover, Germany. He was the first foreign neurosurgeon to obtain a medical license to practice medicine in China, and has been granted the “Friendship Award” by the Chinese government and holds the title of “Honorary Citizen” of Shenzhen. . For his outstanding contributions to the field of skull base surgery, he is recognized as the “Father of Skull Base Surgery.”

On his previous visits to Shenzhen, he had successfully diagnosed and treated many complex neurosurgical patients from across China with his superb skills, earning him great prestige among both patients and the medical community.

During this visit to Shenzhen, he and his team stayed true to their long-standing “patient-centered” philosophy. After travelling a long distance to Shenzhen, he, at 88, immediately threw himself into the high-intensity work despite fatigue and jet lag. He provided consultations for a number of patients, including those who had suffered from their conditions for many years without successful treatment, as well as new patients who came because of his highly esteemed reputation. The patients came from all over the country, presenting with complex and diverse conditions, encompassing a wide range of challenging neurosurgical diseases.

Prof. Madjid Samii personally performed the surgeries, leading his team to successfully complete eight highly complex procedures. These operations involved a variety of challenging neurosurgical cases, with each surgery testing both surgical expertise and team coordination to the fullest.

One patient with a vestibular schwannoma had a tumor compressing surrounding nerve tissue, causing severe hearing loss and dizziness. The patient had visited multiple hospitals but could not receive effective treatment due to the high surgical risks. After receiving the patient, Prof. Madjid Samii and his team conducted a thorough preoperative assessment and developed a meticulous surgical plan. Drawing on his extensive experience from over 5,000 vestibular schwannoma surgeries and his superb surgical skills, Prof. Madjid Samii performed the operation with precision and successfully removed the tumor. The patient recovered well after surgery, with full preservation of facial nerve function.

The “ Vestibular Schwannoma Program of Samii Skull Base Surgery Center ” has been officially launched.

During this visit, the Fourth People’s Hospital of Shenzhen held the official launch ceremony of the “Vestibular Schwannoma Program of Samii Skull Base Surgery Center ,” which was the most important event during his visit.

The program invited three leading experts to join: Prof. Madjid Samii, Prof. Amir Samii, an expert from the INI in Hanover, Germany, and Prof. BAO Yuhai, one of China’s pioneers in the field of skull base tumors.

“A vestibular schwannoma is a benign, encapsulated tumor that grows in the cerebellopontine angle. Surgical removal can achieve a cure, but the procedure carries significant risks.Can the tumor be completely removed? If not, incomplete removal greatly increases the risk of postoperative recurrence.Can the facial nerve be preserved? If not, patients may experience facial paralysis, or corneal ulcers, severely affecting their quality of life and psychological well-being.Can the auditory nerve be preserved? Intraoperative damage to the auditory nerve may destroy residual hearing, resulting in lifelong deafness.”

At the ceremony, WANG Cheng, CPC Secretary of the hospital and Chief Physician of the Neurosurgery Department, stated frankly that most hospitals in China still face the challenges in preserving the facial nerve, preserving hearing, and high recurrence rates. In contrast, Prof. Madjid Samii’s team has achieved nearly 100% facial nerve preservation and over 50% hearing preservation, demonstrating their medical expertise is being among the very best worldwide.

“I have studied and worked with Prof. Madjid Samii for 30 years. He is undoubtedly the founding father of modern microsurgical neurosurgery,” said Prof. BAO Yuhai. He added that Prof. Madjid Samii remains an active frontline ‘warrior’ among neurosurgery pioneers, and “with his support, we are confident in making this program China’s best center for diagnosing and treating vestibular schwannomas.”

Prof. Madjid Samii emphasized that he pioneered the field of skull base surgery 45 years ago, stating, “Vestibular schwannoma is the most complex type of skull base surgery and successfully performing these surgeries represents the highest level of the field.” He pledged that over the next 3–5 years, the program will aim to perform 100 surgeries annually with a facial nerve preservation rate above 95%.

Establishing Standards, Training Talent, and Promoting Research: The Program Fulfills Three Core Missions

The “Vestibular Schwannoma Program of Samii Skull Base Surgery Center ” is not merely a surgical center but a comprehensive platform encompassing clinical care, scientific innovation, and talent cultivation.

With CPC Secretary WANG Cheng and Hospital Director Ethan Kholdebarin serving as the heads of the center, the program integrates multiple specialties, including neurosurgery, E.N.T., neuroimaging, neurorehabilitation, neuroanesthesia, and neurocritical care, to establish a MDT model. In clinical management, a dedicated vestibular schwannoma database will be created to ensure patient records for every case and long-term postoperative follow-up, while standardizing a full process of preoperative assessment, intraoperative monitoring, and postoperative rehabilitation. In research, the program plans to explore hearing restoration technologies such as cochlear implantation, leveraging Shenzhen’s strengths in technological innovation to drive medical-engineering integration for practical applications.

“Our goal is not only to provide excellent care for patients in Shenzhen, but also to extend Shenzhen’s medical expertise across China and even to Southeast Asia,” said CPC Secretary WANG Cheng. He revealed that the hospital’s neurosurgery patients came from all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions except Inner Mongolia and Xizang, and that foreign patients even obtained visas specifically to seek treatment in Shenzhen.

“With enhanced cross-region medical insurance coverage and the growing influence of this program, Shenzhen is expected to stand alongside Beijing and Shanghai as the ‘third choice’ for patients with complex neurosurgical conditions in China.”

Prof. Amir Samii added that the program will bring in hearing rehabilitation expertise from the INI in Hannover, Germany and plans to establish a hearing center in Shenzhen. By combining neurosurgery, E.N.T., and modern technology, the center will provide hearing restoration solutions for children born deaf and elderly patients with hearing loss.

He emphasized, “Shenzhen, as a technological center, offers the best conditions for restoring hearing in patients with hearing loss.”

With the continued support of world-class medical resources, the Fourth People’s Hospital of Shenzhen is expected to achieve further breakthroughs in neurosurgical care, specialty development, and talent cultivation, bringing greater health benefits to patients.

As CPC Secretary WANG Cheng stated:

“At this special moment marking the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, our hospital will further deepen international cooperation, applying the best technology and latest concepts to make the hospital a leading international medical center serving the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and extending its reach to Southeast Asia, living up to the support of the government and the expectations of the public.”