My experience
Frédéric Collignon
Neurosurgeon
Dr. Collignon graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at ULiège in 1994. He specialized in Neurosurgery at Liège University Hospital, a specialization he completed in 2000.
He then spent three years in the United States, the first two of which were at the Mayo Clinic, where he learned, among other things, epilepsy surgery, intracranial aneurysm surgery, and skull base surgery.
He then spent a year in New York, at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , where he specialized in cerebral and spinal neuro-oncological surgery and gained expertise in awake craniotomy, during which the tumor is removed while the patient remains conscious and cooperative to best minimize the risk of irreversible neurological deficit.
Upon his return to Belgium, he contributed to developing minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of spinal pathologies such as kyphoplasty and minimally invasive arthrodesis. These techniques have the advantage of minimizing tissue destruction during the surgical approach, with the benefit of faster postoperative recovery. He is also highly involved in the management of cerebral and spinal tumors, as well as in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
He served as Head of Clinic in the Neurosurgery Department at Liège University Hospital between 2004 and 2008, during which he successfully defended his doctoral thesis on the surgical treatment of refractory epilepsy.
He is currently Head of the Neurosurgery Department and a member of the medical board at Delta Hospital, part of the CHIREC hospital group in Brussels. Within CHIREC, he consults at Delta Hospital, Braine L'Alleud Hospital, Edith Cavell Medical Center, and Parc Léopold Medical Center. He also consults at the Brussels Spine Center at the Mosan Medical Center (Liège). View consultation schedule
Since 2021, Frédéric Collignon has been associated with the medical team of the neuro-rehabilitation center for children and adults TRAINM. He is also associated with the medical team of the cerebral neuromodulation center BRAIN-NM
He is currently President of the Professional Association of Neurosurgery, part of the Belgian Group of Specialists (GBS).
Neurosurgery: A Belgian First Performed by Dr. Frédéric Collignon Using Augmented Reality
Dr. Frédéric Collignon has achieved a major breakthrough by becoming the first neurosurgeon in Belgium to integrate augmented reality into surgical practice. This cutting-edge technology, developed through a collaboration between Brainlab and Magic Leap, marks a decisive step forward in the treatment of complex neurosurgical conditions.
By combining innovation and expertise, Dr. Collignon is paving the way for a new generation of procedures in which precision, safety, and patient comfort are paramount.
Technology that delivers greater precision
Augmented reality applied to neurosurgery allows surgeons to view essential data in real time directly within their field of vision. Using Magic Leap glasses connected to the Brainlab navigation system, optimal surgical paths or tumor boundaries are overlaid onto the patient’s anatomy, without the surgeon having to look away from the surgical field.
This seamless integration of data transforms the approach to delicate procedures by making it easier to plan the surgical procedure in advance.
The tangible benefits for the surgeon and the patient
Millimeter precision
The ideal trajectory can be visualized “through” the tissue before the incision, enhancing control over the procedure
Optimal concentration
The surgeon keeps their eyes on the surgical site at all times, which reduces cognitive load and improves the smooth flow of the procedure.
Enhanced security
The combination of the surgeon's expertise and technology enables safer and more predictable procedures.
“We can literally see the trajectory emerging from the patient. This is a revolution in terms of precision and surgical comfort.” — Dr. Frédéric Collignon
A strengthened position as a pioneer in innovative neurosurgery
By adopting this cutting-edge technology, Dr. Frédéric Collignon reaffirms his ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation. His approach incorporates the most advanced digital tools to continuously improve the quality of surgical procedures and patient outcomes.
This breakthrough marks a significant milestone in the evolution of neurosurgery in Belgium and demonstrates Dr. Collignon’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of care while improving the quality and safety of procedures
