James Tan Siah Heng

Biography

Dr James Tan began his neurosurgical training at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) in 1995 before leaving for London in 1997 to attend a two-year specialist training programme at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (Queens Square) and The Charing Cross Hospital. Dr Tan obtained his Fellowship in Surgical Neurology from the Intercollegiate Board of UK in 1999. Upon his return to Singapore, Dr Tan was appointed as the director in charge of the Spine Programme at NNI. Dr Tan’s interest in spinal disorders led him to become one of the first surgeons in Asia to successfully use artificial cervical disc implants in spinal surgery. He has since performed over 500 of such cervical spinal operations. In 2003, Dr Tan was awarded a Ministry of Health HMDP fellowship to further his sub-specialist training in spinal surgery at the Schulthess Clinic in Zurich, Switzerland. In 2008, Dr Tan commenced his private surgical practice at Gleneagles Hospital where he continues to practice his specialist interest in the surgical treatment of spine and pituitary tumours. Dr Tan believes that sub-specialising allows a surgeon to maintain his proficiency and specialist skills and, hence, best provide optimum care to his patients.Dr James Tan Siah Heng's main surgical interest is in the treatment of degenerative spinal disorders of the cervical and lumbar spine. His other sub-speciality interest is in pituitary tumours where he performs minimally invasive endoscopic transphenoidal surgery. His interest in spinal disorders led him to become the first surgeon in Asia to successfully use artificial cervical discs implants in spinal surgery. He has since performed over 300 of such cervical spinal operations.

Research Interest

 Surgery of the brain and spine - Artificial cervical discs implants in spinal surgery - Degenerative spinal disorders of the cervical spine - Degenerative spinal disorders of the lumbar spine - Pituitary tumours - Minimally invasive endoscopic transphenoidal surgery