PEDIATRIC BRAIN SURGERY Cost in Germany

The cost of paediatric brain surgery in Germany typically ranges from $25,000 to $60,000 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

Paediatric brain surgery treats children with brain tumours, hydrocephalus and other conditions, often aiming to remove as much of a tumour as is safely possible. In Germany, the total depends on:

• Type of operation: craniotomy, biopsy, shunt or reservoir.
• Intensive care: after major surgery.
• Hospital stay: on a children's ward.
• Further treatment: radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Complex paediatric neurosurgery with intensive care may cost more than the range above. Ask for a written estimate.

The Brain Tumour Charity explains that surgery aims to make a diagnosis and remove as much tumour as is safely possible. A craniotomy can take 4 to 6 hours, while other operations include a burr-hole biopsy, a shunt or an Ommaya reservoir.

Children usually go to intensive care or high dependency first, then a children's ward, with a scan a few days later.

Steroids and anti-seizure medicines may be given. Some children develop posterior fossa syndrome after surgery at the back of the brain, with temporary loss of speech.

Flying is usually avoided for about 3 months. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy may follow.

International patients are usually treated in Germany as self-paying patients: the hospital reviews the medical reports, sends a cost estimate and asks for an advance payment before admission, then settles the final bill after discharge.

Inpatient hospital care in Germany is billed under the German DRG system, which depends on the main diagnosis, other diagnoses and the procedures carried out, so the final amount is known only after the stay.

Germany has proton therapy centres, including the West German Proton Therapy Centre in Essen, which is linked to Essen University Hospital.