Georgios Matis NEUROSURGEON

2009: “Correlation of GCS, CT, and APACHE-II findings in head injured patients,” Democritus University of Thrace, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandroupolis (Greece)

• 2025 – Hellenic Society for Pain Management and Palliative Care
• 2025 – Hellenic Society of Algology
• Medical Association of Athens, Greece (2025-)
• Canadian Neuromodulation Society (2025-)
• German Society for Neurosurgery (DGNC) (2025-)
• Swiss medical profession register (MEBEKO) (2025-)
• International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS) (2025-)
• Vagus Nerve Society (2025-)
• Middle Eastern Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (2025-)
• Working Group for Interdisciplinary Specialized Pain and Palliative Medicine (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Interdisziplinäre Spezielle Schmerz- und Palliativmedizin, AISSP, Germany) (2025)
• Secretary of the German Neuromodulation Society (DGNM) (2024-)
• Swiss Society of Spinal Surgery (2024-)
• Cyprus Medical Association – Limassol (2024-)
• International Society of Pain & Neuroscience (ISPN) (2023-)
• Co-Section Editor (New interventional techniques) of Pain Practice (2023-)
• Editorial Board member of Salvia Medical Case Report (2022-)
• Middle East Pain Academy (MEPA) (2022-)
• Medical and Public Education and Engagement Committee member, International Neuromodulation Society (INS) (since 2016, Co-Chair since 2022)
• Editorial Board member of Interventional Pain Medicine & Neuromodulation (2020-)
• Gulf Pain School (GPS) (2020-)
• Mumbai Pain School (MPS) (/2020-)
• Editorial Board member of the INS official journal: «Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface» (@JNeuromod) (2019-)
• Medical Association of North Rhine-Westphalia (2014-)
• German Neuromodulation Society (2014-)
• International Neuromodulation Society (INS) (2014-)
• Editor-in-Chief of The Internet Journal of Neurosurgery (2009-)

• 2018: Member of the Drug Commission (Arzneimittelkommission), University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
• 2018: Head of Pain and Spasticity Section (Fachbereichsleiter), Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany (01/02/2018 – 30/03/2025) – more than 7,000 surgeries
• 2018: Senior Consultant (Oberarzt), Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany (01/01/2018 – 31/01/2018).
• 2017: Senior Consultant (Funktionsoberarzt), Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany (01/02/2017 – 31/12/2017).
• 2014: Consultant, Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany (01/05/2014 – 31/01/2017).
• 2008-2012: Residency in Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital “G. Papanikolaou” (Thessaloniki, Greece)
• 2007: Residency in Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, “417 Military Hospital (NIMTS),” Athens, Greece
• 2006: Military service, employment as physician in the military camp «VERSI» (Arta, Greece).
• 2004-2005: Residency in General Surgery, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis (Greece) (04/02/2004 – 02/07/2005).
• 2002-2003: Country doctor in Arnaia (Chalkidiki, Greece)
• 2002: Residency in General Surgery, General Hospital of Polygyros (Chalkidiki, Greece)

Education Experience

• 2025: More than 250 presentations at Greek and international conferences, 15 participations in scientific meeting presidencies, 85 participations in online seminars as a guest speaker, 4 participations in clinical trials, 10 participations in cadaver courses as an instructor
• 2021-2025: Lectures for neurosurgery residents, Neurosurgery Center, University Hospital of Cologne, Germany
• 2018-2025:  Lectures for medical students, Medical School, University of Cologne, Germany
• 2014-2025: Clinical training of neurosurgery residents, University Hospital of Cologne, Germany
• 2013: Postdoctoral researcher, Neurosurgical Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
• 2011-2012: Lecturer, Technical College (IEK), Greece
• 2011-2012: Laboratory instructor, Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Ioannina (Greece)
• 2009-2010: Lecturer, National Centre for Emergency Care, Greece

Clinical Interest:

• Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS): Application of advanced stimulation waveforms for the treatment of persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS, formerly “failed back surgery syndrome”), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), plexus lesions, syringomyelia, post-stroke pain, peripheral neuropathic pain, post-amputation pain, postherpetic neuralgia, meralgia paraesthetica, painful diabetic neuropathy, refractory angina, chronic abdominal and pelvic pain, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, Raynaud phenomen, and thrombangiitis obliterans.
• Intrathecal Drug Delivery (ITDD): Application of baclofen, ziconotide, and opioids for the management of chronic cancer-related and non-cancer pain, as well as severe spasticity (following stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, spinal cord injury, motor neuron disease).
• Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) and Peripheral Nerve Field Stimulation (PNFS):

1. 1. For post-amputation pain (phantom limb or residual limb/stump pain).
   2. For PSPS and chronic low back pain, either as stand-alone therapy (e.g., multifidus muscle stimulation) or in combination with SCS.
   3. For various neuropathic pain conditions, including facial (trigeminal neuropathy, atypical facial pain), intercostal, abdominal (ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric and genitofemoral neuralgia), and pelvic (sacroiliac joints) pain.
   4. For postinjury or postoperative neuropathy or entrapment neuropathy.
   5. Occipital nerve stimulation for chronic headache disorders (occipital neuralgia, cluster headache, migraine).
   6. Sacral nerve stimulation for pelvic pain and bladder and bowel dysfunction (coccygodynia, pudendal neuralgia, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, urinary incontinence, urinary urgency and frequency, non-obstructive urinary retention, fecal incontinence, constipation).
   7. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for refractory epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression.

• Combined neuromodulation modalities: Integration of SCS with dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S) or peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) or intrathecal therapy (IDDS) in complex and refractory cases (e.g., PSPS-T2), highlighting synergistic benefits.
• Radiofrequency (RF) therapies: Application of pulsed RF and RF ablation techniques for the management of pain originating from or associated with the trigeminal nerve, facet joints, sacroiliac joints, shoulder, knee, hip, splanchnic nerves (choronic pancreatitis, abdominal cancers), superior hypogastric plexus (chronic pelvic pain), sphenopalatine ganglion (facial pain, cluster headache, atypical trigeminal neuralgia, post traumatic facial pain), stellate ganglion (complex regional pain syndrome, hyperhidrosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, atypical facial pain, cancer pain in the head, neck, and upper extremities). In addition, epidural pulsed radiofrequency (ePRF) (cancer and non-cancer pain of radicular distribution, postherpetic and intercostal neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia).

Research Interest: 

• Investigating innovative waveform technologies and neuromodulation strategies, including combination therapies for refractory pain syndromes.
• Mechanisms of action of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in both peripheral and central neuropathic pain, including modulation of inhibitory and descending pathways.
• Exploring intrathecal baclofen and ziconotide, alone and as adjuncts to SCS, for enhancing pain relief and correcting dystonic postural elements in advanced CRPS.
• Evaluating peripheral nerve (field) (PN(F)S) stimulation efficacy, safety, and outcomes in post-amputation pain, including reductions in pain, opioid use, and improvements in function and mood and as adjunct therapy in persistent low back pain.
• Restorative neurostimulation of the multifidus muscles for chronic mechanical low back pain, aiming to re-establish spinal stability and functional control. Also, exploration of long-term outcomes, patient selection criteria, and integration with other neuromodulation modalities to optimize therapeutic efficacy.
• Examining barriers, clinical adoption, and expert perspectives on peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) in neuropathic pain pathways and management algorithms.
• Genomic and biomarker research in persistent spinal pain syndrome type 2 (PSPS-T2; back/and leg pain after one or multiple spinal surgeries), including genome-wide association studies aimed at understanding predictors of response to SCS, inflammation, and pain pathophysiology.
• Neuromodulation’s role in neuropathic and cancer-induced pain, reviewing outcomes with spinal cord stimulation (SCS), dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S), and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) for complex cancer-associated pain syndromes.
• Closed-loop spinal cord stimulation (SCS), with a focus on evoked compound action potential (ECAP) based systems, feedback-controlled therapy, and long-term functional outcomes.
• Remote programming and monitoring of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) systems, enabling personalized therapy, enhanced access for patients, and improved long-term follow-up.
• Application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to neuromodulation, including patient selection, waveform optimization, and outcome prediction.

• 2012/2013: Research scholarship, Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
• 2012/2013: Research scholarship, Department of Neurosurgery, Democritus University of Thrace, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandroupolis, Greece
• 2011: Research fellowship, Skull Base Lab, Department of Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
• 1995: “John und Vasileia Karagianni” award, Prefecture of Thessaloniki, Greece.

• Rekatsina, M. L. G. Leoni, V. Visser-Vandewalle, M. Mercieri, G. Varrassi, G. Matis. Long-Term Outcomes of Sacral Neuromodulation for Refractory Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J. Clin. Med. 2025; 14(11):3647, https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/11/3647
• Gündüz, F. Haak, V. Visser-Vandewalle, G. Matis. Dose escalation in intrathecal baclofen therapy based on disease etiology: can an a priori target dose be established? A ten-year follow-up study and review of the literature. J Spinal Cord Med 2025;48(2):283-289, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/10790268.2023.2266614
• Lo Bianco, A. Al-Kaisy, S. Natoli, A. Abd-Elsayed, G. Matis, A. Papa, L. Kapural, P. Staats. Neuromodulation in chronic pain management: addressing persistent doubts in spinal cord stimulation. J Anesth Analg Crit Care 2025; 5(1):3, https://janesthanalgcritcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s44158-024-00219-6
• E. Gündüz, G. Matis, E. Özduran, V. Hanci. Evaluating the readability, quality and reliability of online patient education materials on spinal cord stimulation. Turk Neurosurg 2024;34(4):588-599, https://www.turkishneurosurgery.org.tr/pdf/pdf_JTN_2957.pdf
• Buonanno, G. Servillo, V. Visser-Vandewalle, G. Matis. 10 kHz stimulation as rescue therapy for spinal cord stimulation trial failure or loss of efficacy: A retrospective study. Pain Pract 2024;24(6):845-851, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/papr.13369
• Rigoard, M. Billot, R. Bougeard, J.E. Llopis, S. Raoul, G. Matis, J. Vesper, H. Belaїd. Improved outcomes and therapy longevity after salvage using a novel spinal cord stimulation system for chronic pain: multicenter, observational, European case series. J Clin Med 2024; 13(4):1079, https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/4/1079
• Bayerl, J. Paz-Solis, G. Matis, P. Rigoard, J. Willem Kallewaard, M. A. Canos-Verdecho, J. Vesper, J. Emilio Llopis, G. Kyriakopoulos, A. Gulve, S. Raoul, A. Papa, S. Love-Jones, A. Williams. Two-year outcomes using Fast-Acting, Subperception Therapy for spinal cord stimulation: A European, real-world, multicenter experience. J Clin Med 2024; 13:6999, https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/22/6999
• Tsagkaris C, Papadakis M, Trompoukis C, Matiashova L, Matis G. What do eels teach about open access, medical education and professional ethics? The inception of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation in ancient Rome. Brain Stimul. 2023;16(5):1300-1301, https://www.brainstimjrnl.com/article/S1935-861X(23)01801-6/fulltext
• De Negri, J.F. Paz-Solis, P. Rigoard, S. Raoul, J-W. Kallewaard, A. Gulve, S. Thomson, M. A. Canós-Verdecho, S. Love-Jones, A. Williams, F.J. Rascón-Ramírez, S. Bayerl, J.E. Llopis-Calatayud, I. Peña Vergara, G.K. Matis, J. Vesper,
  D. Abejón, P. Maino, A. Papa, Y. Pei, R. Jain. Real-world outcomes of single-stage spinal cord stimulation in chronic pain patients: A multicentre, European case series. Interventional Pain Medicine 2023, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277259442300095X?via%3Dihub
• Matis, L. Chen, R. Jain, Q. Doan. Clinical utilization of fast-acting sub-perception therapy (FAST) in SCS-implanted patients for treatment of mixed pain. Interventional Pain Medicine 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpm.2022.100165

• G. Matis. ”Pain And Pulses: A Philosophical Dive into Spinal Cord Stimulation,” Readers World, Mumbai, India, 2025, https://www.readersworld.co.in/products/matis-pain-and-pulses-a-philosophical-dive-into-spinal-cord-stimulation
• G. Matis. ”Intrathecal Therapy And Ziconotide: A Comprehensive Guide for Pain Management,” Readers World, Mumbai, India, 2025, https://www.readersworld.co.in/products/matis-intrathecal-therapy-and-ziconotide-2025
• G. Matis. ”From Surgeons to Storytellers: Building Bridges with Patients in Neuromodulation,” Readers World, Mumbai, India, 2025, https://www.readersworld.co.in/products/matis-from-surgeons-to-storytellers
• G. Matis. “Evaluation of pain in geriatric patients” (Section II: Diagnosis, Chapter 22). In: “Common Pain Conditions: Fundamentals and Practical Diagnosis & Treatment”, 1st Edition, Timothy R. Deer & Corey W. Hunter (Eds.), Springer, 2025, under publication
• G. Matis. “Recent Developments in Spinal Cord Stimulation,” Life Sciences Medical Publishers, Mumbai, India, 2024, https://www.readersworld.co.in/products/dr-george-matis-recent-development-in-spinal-cord-stimulations-2024
• G. Matis. ”Cranial Nerves – Self-Assessment Questions,” Life Sciences Medical Publishers, Mumbai, India, 2024, https://www.readersworld.co.in/products/dr-george-matis-cranial-nerves-2024
• «The Handbook of Neuromodulation» (eds. Dr. Pritam Majumdar, Dr. Albert Fenoy, Dr. Georgios Matis, Dr. Sait Ozturk), Nova Science Publishers, 2022, https://novapublishers.com/shop/the-handbook-of-neuromodulation-2-volume-set/ (editor)
• G. Matis. Introduction to Sacral Nerve Stimulation (chapter 39). In: «The Handbook of Neuromodulation» (eds. Dr. Pritam Majumdar, Dr. Albert Fenoy, Dr. Georgios Matis, Dr. Sait Ozturk), Nova Science Publishers, 2022, under publication, ISBN: 978-1-68507-617-7, https://novapublishers.com/shop/the-handbook-of-neuromodulation-2-volume-set/
• G. Matis. Introduction to Spinal Cord Stimulation (chapter 31). In: «The Handbook of Neuromodulation» (eds. Dr. Pritam Majumdar, Dr. Albert Fenoy, Dr. Georgios Matis, Dr. Sait Ozturk), Nova Science Publishers, 2022, under publication, ISBN: 978-1-68507-617-7, https://novapublishers.com/shop/the-handbook-of-neuromodulation-2-volume-set/
• E. Durdağ, G. Matis. Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (Chapter 37). In: «The Handbook of Neuromodulation» (eds. Dr. Pritam Majumdar, Dr. Albert Fenoy, Dr. Georgios Matis, Dr. Sait Ozturk), Nova Science Publishers, 2022, under publication, ISBN: 978-1-68507-617-7, https://novapublishers.com/shop/the-handbook-of-neuromodulation-2-volume-set/
• P. Majumdar, G. Matis. Advanced Neuromodulation Therapy. Intercostal Electrode Pacing for Restoring Neurorespiratory Function in Higher Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Cases: A Wide Range Studies Review (Chapter 41): In: «The Handbook of Neuromodulation» (eds. Dr. Pritam Majumdar, Dr. Albert Fenoy, Dr. Georgios Matis, Dr. Sait Ozturk), Nova Science Publishers, 2022, under publication, ISBN: 978-1-68507-617-7, https://novapublishers.com/shop/the-handbook-of-neuromodulation-2-volume-set/
• G. Matis, P. Majumdar. Intrathecal baclofen therapy (Chapter 36): In: «The Handbook of Neuromodulation» (eds. Dr. Pritam Majumdar, Dr. Albert Fenoy, Dr. Georgios Matis, Dr. Sait Ozturk), Nova Science Publishers, 2022, under publication, ISBN: 978-1-68507-617-7, https://novapublishers.com/shop/the-handbook-of-neuromodulation-2-volume-set/
• S. Kandhari, D. Sharma, P. Majumdar, G. Matis. (Chapter 42): High cervical spinal cord stimulation for restoring consciousness in minimally conscious state patients. In: «The Handbook of Neuromodulation» (eds. Dr. Pritam Majumdar, Dr. Albert Fenoy, Dr. Georgios Matis, Dr. Sait Ozturk), Nova Science Publishers, 2022, under publication, ISBN: 978-1-68507-617-7, https://novapublishers.com/shop/the-handbook-of-neuromodulation-2-volume-set/
• G. Matis. «Back pain and neuromodulation» (Chapter 9.6). In: «Essentials Rückenschmerz», 1st ed., Scheyerer M.J., Eysel P & Bredow J. (editors), Elsevier, 2021, ISBN: 978-3-437-23555-9, https://shop.elsevier.de/elsevier-essentials-rueckenschmerz-9783437235559.html (in German)
• G. Matis, P. Andrade, K. Zeitler, V. Visser-Vandewalle. “Functional neurosurgery in older age” (Chapter 19). In: “Neurochirurgie bei älteren Patienten”, Eberhard Uhl & Karsten Schöller (editors), Springer, 2020, ISBN: 978-3-662-60353-6, https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-662-60354-3 (in German)