The gold standard of intracranial radiosurgery at Netcare’s Milpark Hospital South Africa’s only Gamma Knife is housed at Netcare’s Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg where our leading multi-disciplinary team, comprising experienced neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists and medical physicists or biophysicists, treat patients with diseases or abnormalities in and around the brain and related structures using stereotactic radiosurgery. The Gamma Knife, which replaces a surgeon’s scalpel with narrow beams of radiation, is referred to as the gold standard of intracranial radiosurgery because of its superior precision, accuracy and improved patient outcomes. Of the available stereotactic radiosurgery technologies, the Gamma knife is accepted as the most precise. Since 2017 when the Gamma Knife was introduced at Milpark Hospital, the Gamma Knife SA team has successfully treated over 800 patients. The Gamma Knife has proved effective in managing metastatic and benign brain tumours, arteriovenous malformations, trigeminal neuralgia, acoustic neuroma and pituitary and skull-based tumours. The evidence-base for many stereotactic radio surgery treatments is Gamma Knife-based. It is proven technology with a four-decade-long international track record. Patient benefits Previously, patients in need of stereotactic radio surgery treatment had to travel abroad, which many could not afford. Despite the surgery involving delicate brain tissue, it is non-invasive compared to the microsurgical alternatives and does not harm surrounding healthy tissue. The treatment is easier and quicker than older treatments and has fewer side effects. Most patients go home on the same day as the radiosurgery seldom requires hospitalisation. The Gamma Knife was brought to South Africa in 2017 through a strategic collaboration between Netcare, key medical professionals and oncology company Eurolab.