North Texas Brain & Spine Specialists

Dr. Yaw Sarpong always knew he wanted to be a doctor. “Maybe my mother put it in my head,” he laughed. “But seriously, I knew I wanted to help people who were in a vulnerable position. I knew I wanted to give back.” Originally, he thought he’d do that as a cardiologist. Once in medical school, he found his passion in neurosurgery, a field that encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.

“I’ve always been interested in emerging medicine,” he said. “Neurosurgery is experiencing significant advancements, with evolving technologies such as minimally invasive robot-assisted surgery, integration of artificial Intelligence, advances in imaging, and the increased popularity of regenerative medicine. We’re seeing improvements in the diagnosing and treatment of neurological conditions almost every day as we learn more about treating a wide range of neurological and spinal conditions, with faster recovery times and better patient outcomes. I love being part of this groundbreaking period in medicine that’s making a difference in people’s lives.”

Comprehensive Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment Options

Dr. Sarpong has worked at many prestigious hospitals across the Midwest and has now joined the team at North Texas Brain & Spine Specialists. “I’ve known the physicians at North Texas Brain & Spine Specialists for some time and have always wanted to work with them as a team and as colleagues. I feel honored to join such a world-renowned and respected practice,” Dr. Sarpong said.

“I knew before I joined that we shared the same philosophy of surgery being the last resort, after all non-surgical options have been explored. I also knew this was a practice committed to finding the root cause of a patient’s problem and then taking the time to speak with the patient and educate them about the many available treatments that can very often provide relief before we resort to surgery.”

When surgery is the best option, Dr. Sarpong is trained and experienced in robot-assisted surgery. “The robot allows us to operate with a minimum of cutting, less bleeding, less trauma to the body, less risk of infection, and much shorter recovery times,” Dr. Sarpong said. “More importantly, it makes surgery more precise for greatly improved outcomes for all kinds of surgery. Being able to provide the least-invasive option means our patients recover faster and better.”

Robot-Assisted Surgery

Robot-assisted spine and brain surgery uses robotic technology to help Dr. Sarpong perform procedures with more precision and safety. Here’s how it works. Dr. Sarpong uses the technology to merge CT and X-ray images and create a precise 3D map of the patient’s anatomy. Then, while he remains in control, he employs the robot to follow that map and guide him throughout surgery. With his guidance, the robot can perform precise movements in small spaces and challenging anatomy and perform repetitive tasks with accuracy and consistency, tasks that in the past often led to fatigue-related errors in traditional surgeries. The robot also reduces radiation exposure for the patient and the surgical team.

“Pain is scary and debilitating and can come from different sources,” Dr. Sarpong said. “We partner with our patients to investigate and find the source of their pain.” Because of this forward-thinking mindset, the team at North Texas Brain & Spine Specialists can make decisions about a plan of action that won’t simply mask their patient’s symptoms but address the root cause and correct the problem. Since minimally invasive spine surgery doesn’t require the long incisions associated with traditional, open surgery, the muscles surrounding the spine don’t suffer extensive tissue damage for a substantially reduced amount of pain and scarring.

Meet Dr. Yaw Sarpong

Dr. Sarpong was born in Ghana, West Africa, but grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his undergraduate degree from Emory University and his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine before completing neurosurgery residency training at University of Washington & Affiliated Hospitals and University of Missouri, and fellowship training in biodesign and bioinnovation at University of Missouri.

Dr. Sarpong specializes in open and minimally invasive treatment of spinal diseases. He’s also an expert in the treatment of intracranial and spinal masses. Additionally, he utilizes neuro-navigation and microscope navigation to treat intracranial diseases and spinal diseases. He specializes in the management and treatment of traumatic brain injuries and the surgical management and treatment of hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. He’s also served as the neurosurgical representative for the State of Oregon Trauma Board.

When not in the hospital, Dr. Sarpong enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, reading, exercising, and traveling to new places to experience other cultures. “My wife and I absolutely love food and find pure joy in exploring diverse flavors from different cultures, blending spices, techniques, and traditions to create unforgettable culinary experiences,” he said. “My son, Kenzou, and I love being out in nature. He especially loves anything to do with water so I’m excited to take him to explore multiple beaches, soaking in the sun, the waves, and creating ocean adventures together. We’re looking forward to becoming a part of the North Dallas community, a great place
to raise kids.”

Dr. Sarpong and his wife, Carlene, have a passion for philanthropic work and are both heavily involved in Brain Project Africa. Dr. Sarpong is a leading neurosurgeon for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit which is dedicated to transforming healthcare access across the African continent. Through numerous medical outreach missions, Brain Project Africa assembles teams of neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and other healthcare professionals to provide life-changing brain and spine surgeries — along with a range of other specialized medical treatments — to underserved communities completely free of charge.

If you’re looking for relief from neck pain or back pain, contact the compassionate providers at North Texas Brain & Spine Specialists. Call their office at (469) 908-2340 or contact them online at [email protected] or ntbss.com to learn more or schedule an appointment.

Dr. Sarpong will be performing his surgeries/procedures at Legent Health.