Nurse your brain and spine health with the best neurosurgeons in Adelaide!

Dr. Adam Wells has 16 years of experience and is the only Adelaide surgeon with a PhD from the University of Adelaide. As a neurosurgeon, he can perform craniotomy, lumbar microdiscectomy, and posterior cervical laminectomy, among other procedures.

He specializes in treating brain tumors and traumatic brain injury. Moreover, what’s most notable about him is that he was the recipient of the Leech Memorial Prize and the Nimmo Prize for his research into ischaemic stroke, a blood clot that blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain. 

While Dr. Wells’ expertise is impressive, it would be fantastic to see him doing other operations like Deep Brain Stimulation or implanting electrodes to help treat movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia.

He is the best neurosurgeon

“I was extremely fortunate to have been referred by my GP to Dr. Adam Wells. He is a humble gentleman & I met him with my wife at his practice. He clearly explained the L1 to S1 Laminectomy procedure. His team Luci, David, Arthur & all the nursing staff at St. Andrews Hospital were excellent. Adam is Elite at his job. I cannot thank him enough. He loves his job & it shows. Adam visited me in St. Andrews Hospital every day in the morning. If you need a Neurosurgeon, Adam is the best. Post operation now is in my 4th week. My quality of life is back & I’m walking 6 k/m per day. The word , Thankyou Adam, does not seem enough. Adam you are always welcome at my Campfire.”

Greg Ewens, Google Review

A one-of-a-kind neurosurgeon

“Dr.Wells is actually one a kind in my opinion. I have just had back surgery here at St Andrew’s Hospital. He has visited me every day since the surgery last Thursday which is something I have never seen before in my extensive surgical history.

He visits, is concerned and genuinely interested in what’s happening. To say he gives the patient confidence is a no brainer. (please just one joke).

If you need a neurosurgeon he is the one. I’m so happy I found him. Thank you Dr Wells for your care knowledge and compassion. The whole experience has been a good one (as far as operations can be !) Go Dr Wells and please never leave our little Adelaide x”

Augustine Mifsud, Google Review

Next is Dr. Andrew Zacest, a neurosurgeon with 17 years of experience who is one of Adelaide’s top specialists in functional neurosurgery and neuromodulation. 

He completed his fellowship in Oregon and has earned numerous awards, including the Lowenthal Surgical Research Prize, Stuart Morson Neurosurgical Prize, and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Distinguished Service Award.

What makes him one of our top choices is that he was one of the first neurosurgical trainees in Australia to earn a Pain Fellowship from the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. 

With his dual qualifications, he provides specialized care that combines expertise in neurology and pain management, making him an excellent option for complex cases.

Unfortunately, he doesn’t do pediatric neurosurgery.

A very capable neurosurgeon with a delightful office manager

“One year ago Andrew performed a Laminectomy on me to cure severe sciatica. I was cured instantly and have not had even a twinge of pain since. A very pleasant and brilliant man with a delightful office manager, Judy. Thank you both.”

Bruce Adams, Google Review

No more severe pain because of Dr. Zacest

“Absolutely fantastic experience. After suffering from severe back pain for many months, I discovered I had a rare tumour growing in my spinal cord. I was referred to the amazing Professor Zacest by my GP who highly recommended him and she wasn’t wrong! Professor Zacest successfully removed the tumour and I immediately felt relief from the severe pain I had suffered prior to surgery. He is caring, communicated well and visited me in hospital every day for the week I was there. Most importantly he fixed me. His receptionist Judy is delightful. I totally recommend!”

Hilary Brookes, Google Review

Dr. Amal Abou-Hamden stands out as the only female neurosurgeon on this list, with the experience and accolades to rank among Adelaide’s best. She has 17 years of experience, with fellowship training for vascular, pediatric, and epilepsy neurosurgeries.

Moreover, Dr. Abou-Hamden is highly respected in her field. She has made history as the first female neurosurgeon from Saudi Arabia to be elected president of the World Association of Lebanese Neurosurgeons. 

Dr. Abou-Hamden is a highly in-demand neurosurgeon. However, this popularity comes with a downside. Patients often find themselves three to four hours in the waiting room. 

Dr. Amal diffused the ticking time bomb in my head

“I had a large tumor wrapping around my vision nerve and blood vessels at the base of my skull. Professor Amal Abou-Hamden took the time to explain my condition and the surgery in great detail and to answer all my (and my family’s) questions. I could not be more thankful to her for taking out my tumor successfully and for making me feel safe in her hands and cared for at every step of the way. Forever grateful for your great skills, talent, care and kindness.”

Randall Johnson, Google Review

A kind and caring neurosurgeon

“Our 14 year old son, Oskar, recently had brain surgery to remove a tumour. We could not have asked for a more experienced, kind and caring Consulting Neurosurgeon! Highly recommend Dr. A/Prof Amal Abou-Hamden. Any client under her care is extremely fortunate. We will be forever grateful for Dr Amal and the Neurosurgical team at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Oskar received the highest quality care and Dr A/Prof Amal’s excellent surgical skills ensured the best possible outcome for our son. Her kindness, empathy and care was an incredible help when we were going through the most challenging time of our lives. Thank you Dr Amal. We are forever grateful!”

Kristin Moen, Google Review

Dr. Simon Sandler is a neurosurgeon with 14 years of experience and training in South Africa. He specializes in all spinal disorders. Beyond that, he also performs neurosurgery for tumors, infections, and hydrocephalus. 

What truly sets him apart is his dual neurosurgery fellowship, having received extensive specialized training from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. This makes him a trusted choice for complex neurosurgical cases.

Although very capable of spine and brain surgeries, unfortunately, Dr. Sandler lacks expertise in functional neurosurgeries like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and dealing with peripheral nerve disorders.

Dr. Sandler knows his craft too well

“I had a fantastic experience from a great doctor! I was in Adelaide for business and had to seek some urgent neurosurgical advice for an acute issue. Dr Sandler was able to see me immediately and organised the appropriate and relevant scans immediately. As a doctor he is extremely affable and obviously knows his craft well. I strongly recommend Dr Sandler for any neurosurgery.”

Lourens van Zyl, Google Review

Dr. Sandler gave me hope to start joining triathlons again

“Dr Sandler operated on me 9 months ago. ( Aug 23) I was no longer able to be as active as I had been as I was suffering from severe pain and weakness in my lower body. I was a very active triathlete, trail runner before I had a fall and hurt my back. Dr Sandler has been fantastic throughout my recent surgical journey. We spent 12 months trialing conservative treatment and when that didn’t work, Dr Sandler explained in detail what was required in my surgery and the risks associated with it. His superior surgical skills have proven to be fantastic and I’m now on the road to recovery, completing a small triathlon a couple of months ago and this weekend a half marathon with no pain or neurological symptoms. I’m extremely grateful for your care and skills and can’t wait to start my training soon towards another half and full Ironman. I highly recommend Dr Sandler for spinal surgery. Rose, the administrator is very warm and welcoming at the practice and extremely friendly and helpful. Thank you team.”

Zoe Hubball, Google Review

Last on the list is Dr. Matthew McDonald with 24 years of experience. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and a fellowship in Complex Spine and Spinal Trauma. He specializes in brain tumors and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgeries.

Dr. McDonald stands out for his expertise in DBS—a procedure that implants electrodes in specific brain areas to regulate abnormal activity. With over 250 successful DBS operations, he is a top choice in Adelaide for treating movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease.

However, his experience focuses on common neurosurgical conditions, such as brain tumors and aneurysms, and he lacks specialization in congenital disorders like spina bifida.

A neurosurgeon who instills confidence

“Matthew McDonald has treated me twice now. His manner and professionalism is second to none. He instilled confidence in me, with what is fairly scary and major surgery to the average person with a limited medical knowledge. All I can do is say if you have a back issue, Matt is the person to see! Thank you Matthew. I am a new person and what you did is life changing.”

Dave Hefford, Google Review

See Dr. Matthew for chronic back pain

“How do you rate medical professionals? I’ve had bad and good, now I’ve had the best and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Prof McDonald to anyone with chronic back pain. Days after surgery my pain was at the lowest it has been for years. This is the best thing that has happened to my body for over a decade. My procedure was the works, fusion.”

Eric Ozgo, Google Review