With over 70 years of combined experience, Drs. Kaveh Khajavi, Jim Robinson and Tariq Javed joined forces under the name Southeastern Neurosurgical Specialists. We tapped the founding members for a better look into the practice’s innovative treatment—both in surgery and patient care.

How and when was Southeastern Neurosurgical Specialists (se-neurosurgical.‌com) founded? And what does the practice look like today?

TJ: Southeastern Neurosurgical Specialists was founded November 2018 by bringing together three of the most trusted and respected neurosurgeons in the metro Atlanta area, Kaveh Khajavi, Jim Robinson and myself. We now have five neurosurgeons and four physician extenders in our practice. The practice is divided into two pods located at Northside Hospital Atlanta, Alpharetta, Marietta and Canton.

What sets SNS apart from other neurosurgery groups?

KK: Our experience and our diversity are what set us apart. You’d be hard-pressed to find a group with more experience. As for diversity, we provide the entire spectrum of neurosurgical care. We do cranial and spine surgery, including complex cases (skull base tumors, adult scoliosis surgery) and use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.

What values does SNS put at the forefront of the practice?

JR: Quality of care and attention to detail are the hallmarks of our practice. We strive to provide the best of care for each individual patient, and in an environment and manner designed to bring confidence to our patients that they are not only being cared for in the best possible way, but also by people who care deeply about their best possible outcome and quality of life.

Tell me about the treatments and procedures offered at SNS.

KK: We provide expertise in the following treatments: brain surgery; treatment of brain tumors using open and minimally invasive surgical techniques, including treatment of complex cranial base tumors, such as meningiomas, acoustic neuromas and pituitary tumors; microvascular decompression (MVD) for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm and glossopharyngeal neuralgia; radiosurgery using gamma knife or CyberKnife.; spine and peripheral nerve surgery; complex and minimally invasive spinal procedures for treatment of spinal problems, such as disc herniation and spinal stenosis and spinal deformity; use of O arm intraoperative navigation; and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring for instrumentation.

In what ways does SNS incorporate technologically advanced surgery methods into the practice?

KK: We use the latest cutting-edge techniques and technology for treatment of our patients. In the operating room, we routinely use the O arm for intraoperative CT imaging. We routinely use intraoperative neuro monitoring and Cell Saver to improve the safety of our patients during the surgery. More recently, the spinal robot has also been added to assist with surgery. Radiosurgery with the use of a gamma knife and CyberKnife is also used to treat patients for brain and spinal tumors and for treating trigeminal neuralgia.