SUMMARY
The interests of Kingsley Abode-Iyamah, M.D., focus on spinal pathology, including spinal deformity, scoliosis, disc degeneration and cervical myelopathy. His work aims to push the boundaries of spinal surgery by combining cutting-edge technology with clinical innovation.
Dr. Abode-Iyamah is a key contributor to Mayo Clinic's 3D Printing Program for surgical applications. Watch Mayo Clinic's documentary about 3D printing, Pursuing Possible, to learn more.
Focus areas
- Spinal deformity. Dr. Abode-Iyamah is a trained neurosurgeon on spinal deformity. His area of focus includes complex spinal deformity. Dr. Abode-Iyamah incorporates 3D printing to create anatomically accurate models that aid in presurgical planning. These models help improve the accuracy of complex spine surgeries by allowing surgeons to visualize patient-specific anatomy before operating. His research interest also includes the outcome of complex spinal deformity.
- Awake spine surgery. Dr. Abode-Iyamah is at the forefront of awake spine surgery. With awake spinal surgery techniques, surgeons can address patients' spinal pathology with the combination of minimally invasive approach and the use of regional anesthesia. This eliminates the risk of general anesthesia. He has published numerous journal articles on this topic that show the benefits of awake spinal surgery over general anesthesia.
- Cervical myelopathy. Dr. Abode-Iyamah's research and clinical interests also involve cervical myelopathy. Dr. Abode-Iyamah not only treats patients with cervical myelopathy, but also he continues to investigate novel adjunct treatment for cervical myelopathy.
Significance to patient care
Back pain is a leading cause of disability and loss worldwide. This also leads to great amounts of pain that often limit patients' activity of daily living. Dr. Abode-Iyamah seeks to reduce how this pain affects patients' lives and make their quality of life better.
Dr. Abode-Iyamah delivers precise care to the most complex of cases by combining cutting-edge technology, including the use of 3D printing, with innovative clinical approaches and awake spine surgery.
Professional highlights
- Director, Spine Division, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, 2022-present.
- 150 Best Spine Surgeons in the U.S., Newsweek, 2024.
- Inventor of the Year Award, University of Iowa, 2017.
- Summa cum laude, Northeastern Illinois University, 2007.