Dr Prashanth Maharaj
Specialist Neurosurgeon | Minimally Invasive & Revision Spine Surgery Expert
After completing his undergraduate training at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2009, Dr Maharaj began his medical journey with an internship at Addington Hospital (2010), followed by community service at Wentworth Hospital in 2012. His deepening interest in surgical disciplines led him to Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in 2013, where he began General Surgery training, ultimately transitioning into the Department of Neurosurgery at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital.Dr Maharaj quickly distinguished himself within the field. He authored the Head Injuries chapter in the Springer textbook Clinical Pathways in Emergency Medicine: Volume II and was awarded the prestigious Discovery Prize for Best Oral Platform Presentation in 2016 by the Society of Neurosurgeons of South Africa, for his work on anterior skull base trauma. This recognition was further amplified at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.
In 2019, he achieved the Fellowship in Neurosurgery (FCNeurosurg(SA)), alongside a Master’s in Medicine (MMed Neurosurgery) through the University of KwaZuluNatal. His groundbreaking Master’s research, presented at the World Federation of Neurosurgeons (WFNS) Meeting in Istanbul (2017), introduced the largest documented series of a newly classified skull fracture—Compound Elevated Skull Fracture.
He also expanded his expertise internationally, completing the Pierre Lasjuanias Neurovascular Course (PLANET) in Neuro-intervention, accredited by the University of Toronto.
Currently based at Life Entabeni Hospital in Durban, Dr Maharaj brings a refined, minimally invasive approach to both cranial and spinal surgery. Known for his precision, compassion, and calm under pressure, he thrives on solving difficult neurosurgical puzzles—especially those involving complex spinal reconstructions and revision spinal procedures, where previous surgeries performed by other neurosurgeon’s may have failed or complications have arisen.
As a neurosurgeon who loves a challenge, Dr Maharaj is also a certified proctor for Creatori Health, where he teaches and mentors other neurosurgeons in the advanced technique of kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure used to treat spinal compression fractures. His leadership in training reflects his commitment to surgical advancement and education.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field, patient care, and innovation in neurosurgery, Dr Prashanth Maharaj was voted the Best Neurosurgeon in Durban for the year 2025—a testament to the impact he continues to make in the lives of patients and the medical community alike. Driven by his belief that the brain is the most beautiful and intricate organ, Dr Maharaj remains passionate about minimally invasive neurosurgery, lifelong learning, and offering world-class care grounded in empathy, skill, and surgical excellence.
His field of expertise includes but is not limited to:
- Minimally Invasive Tubular Microdiscectomy
- Minimally Invasive Tubular Fusion (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
- Minimally Invasive Pedicle Screw Fixation
- Minimally Invasive Balloon Kyphoplasty
- Minimally Invasive Tubular Decompression
Dr Prashanth Maharaj
After completing his undergraduate training at the University of Kwa Zulu Natal in 2009, Dr Maharaj went on to complete his internship at Addington Hospital in 2010. Dr Maharaj then completed his community service year at Wentworth Hospital in 2012. He then joined Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in 2013 and began his General Surgery specialist training after which he joined the Department of Neurosurgery at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital later that same year. During this time he authored the Head Injuries chapter in the Springer book Clinical Pathways in Emergency Medicine: Volume II by Suresh David. In 2016, he was awarded the Discovery Prize for Best Oral Platform Presentation at the Society of Neurosurgeons of South Africa for his presentation based on Anterior Skull Base Trauma research. This award was presented at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, California in the same year.
Dr Maharaj remained at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital working as a Medical Officer in Neurosurgery, rotating in the Neurosurgical ICU and the Trauma ICU until he completed his specialisation in Neurosurgery through the Fellowship in Neurosurgery (FCNeurosurg(SA)) in 2019. He also completed his Masters in Medicine in Neurosurgery at the University of Kwa Zulu Natal at the same time.
He presented his Master's research at the World Federation of Neurosurgeons (WFNS) Meeting in 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey where he described the largest series to date of a new type of skull fracture (“Compound Elevated Skull Fracture”). In 2019, Dr Maharaj completed the Pierre Lasjuanias Neurovascular Course (PLANET) examination held by the University of Toronto based on Neuro-intervention/Endovascular Neurosurgery.
After working in Albert Luthuli state hospital in Durban for the past 7 years, Dr Maharaj has now moved to Life Entabeni hospital in Durban. As a Specialist Neurosurgeon, Dr Maharaj believes that the brain is the most complicated and beautiful organ in the body and is passionate about Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery. His field of expertise includes, but is not limited to:
His field of expertise includes but is not limited to:
- Neurosurgical assessment and selection of most appropriate neuro-imaging modality for investigation. (MRI, CT scanning, angiography etc.)
- Assessment and management of Neurotrauma: Cranial and spinal
- Elective cranial surgery: Brain Tumours, Aneurysms
- Elective spinal surgery: Degenerative Spine Disease
- Paediatric neurosurgical procedures
- Combination of micro-neurosurgical techniques with any of the above
- Endoscopic Brain Surgery
The brain is an organ of density. It holds within its humming mechanism secrets that will determine the future of the human race.
Wilder Penfield
