FAQs

A neurosurgeon is a physician who has met rigorous educational requirements including four hears of college, four years of medical school, a one-year general surgical internship, and six to seven years as a neurosurgical resident. The resident spends time in research, basic sciences, neurology, neuroradiology, neuropathology and neurosurgery. Our specialists: Diagnoses and treats surgical disorders or injuries of the nervous system Performs a detailed examination of the neurological structure of the body Performs surgery on the brain, spinal cord, and nerves Performs radiosurgery which is a way of treating brain abnormalities, tumors or other functional disorders with a precise delivery of a single high dose of radiation in a one-day session

Who Sees a Neurosurgeon? You may need to see a neurosurgeon if you have been examined by a primary care physician and told that your symptoms are neurological in nature and require surgery. Your primary care physician will consult a neurosurgeon and schedule an appointment for an exam and possible tests. Once your exam and tests are completed, the neurosurgeon will work with you to determine the plan of care and schedule surgery if necessary.

UVNN offers specialty care and services in Neurology, Neurosurgery, Spinal surgery, and SI joint surgery.

Care for the neuroscience patient requires a multidisciplinary team approach. The neurosurgeon works as the team leader to provide the very latest in neurological care. The neuroscience team also includes: Neuroscience registered nurses Case management Social workers Chaplains Respiratory therapists Physical therapists Occupational therapists Speech pathologists Neuroradiologists Neurodiagnostic technicians Physiatrist (rehabilitation physician) Neuropsychologists

UVNN has three clinical settings in Lebanon, NH, Keene, NH and New London, NH, where patients are seen for general, pre and post operative appointments. Neurosurgery is preformed at one of three, participating hospitals, Alice Peck Day Memorial in Lebanon, NH, Gifford Medical Center in Keene, NH and New London Hospital in New London, NH. Visit our Locations page for contact information and directions to each location.

The hospital will notify you of your preoperative phone interview, which is typically 1 week prior to your scheduled procedure. During the “Pre-Operative Interview” the nurse educator will discuss fasting instructions, medications discontinuation, past surgical history, allergies, medication, etc. You will also find a list of medications that you need to discontinue in advance, in your surgical packet we provided you.

You will need to have a Pre-Op Physical performed by your primary care provider within 30 days of your scheduled procedure. Our office will work with you and your PCP office to schedule an appointment. If the hospital does not receive your H&P completed within 7 days of your surgery it may be rescheduled.

Any additional testing necessary will be sent to your PCP to be done the same time as your pre-operative history and physical. The results will also need to be faxed our office at 603-448-0019.

You be required to have a COVID PCR test within 3-5 days of your procedure. Please be sure to ask the medical assistant during your scheduled pre-op phone call with our office.

Your neurosurgical team will work with you to treat your surgical (incisional) pain, as needed. If you have a pain contract with another provider (i.e.: primary care, pain management, etc…) you will need to discuss post-operative pain management with them directly.

It is ultimately your responsibility to know your insurance plan benefits and to obtain a referral from your PCP, if required. Our office will contact your insurance company to obtain prior authorization, if required.