Abdullah Keles

Dr. Abdullah Keles is a physician-scientist with extensive expertise in microsurgery education and neurological surgery training. He earned his medical degree from Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, and has since contributed to advancing surgical education and research globally.

Dr. Keles specializes in the development of affordable and sustainable microsurgery training models, particularly tailored to resource-limited settings. His research focuses on advancing surgical education through innovative hands-on training programs and the development of simulation models to improve surgical precision and outcomes.

Dr. Keles has facilitated the distribution of 176 microsurgery training kits to 89 centers across 46 low- and middle-income countries spanning four continents. Additionally, he has organized numerous workshops worldwide to enhance microsurgical skills. His efforts focus on bridging gaps in surgical education and advancing healthcare equity globally, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Currently, Dr. Keles’s work is dedicated to enhancing microsurgical training methodologies and evaluating their impact on clinical outcomes. His long-term vision includes fostering global collaborations to expand access to advanced surgical training and contributing to the development of neurosurgical practices worldwide.

Selected Publications

1. Keles A, Acitores Cancela A, Moussalem CK, Kessely YC, Malazonia Z, Shah JM, Gurbuz MS, Gasimov T, Adekanmbi A, Bari MS, Dumot C, Garcia Oriola G, Untulan Golidtum JP, Nor A, Omar AH, Ozaydin B, Patel NJ, Dempsey RJ, Baskaya MK. A Novel Approach for Free, Affordable, and Sustainable Microsurgery Laboratory Training for Low- and Middle-Income Countries: University of Wisconsin-Madison Microneurosurgery Laboratory Experience. Neurosurgery. 2024;6:1311-1323. doi:10.1227/neu.0000000000002814.
2. Keles A, Greeneway GP, Dempsey RJ, Baskaya MK. Establishing Microsurgery Skills Laboratories in LMICs with Integrated Remote Teaching: A Novel Approach. Neurosurgery Clinics of North America. 2024 Oct;35(4):449-463. doi:10.1016/j.nec.2024.05.007.
3. Keles A, Bozdag S, Ozaydin B, Dempsey RJ, Baskaya MK. Addressing global microneurosurgery education and laboratory training during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: from challenges to innovations. Neurosurgical Focus. 2025 Mar 1;58(3):E11.
4. Keles A, Dumot C, Majernik GH, Chebel R, Gurbuz MS, Gasimov TA, Oriola GG, Elbayomy AM, Cancela AA, Erginoglu U, Ozaydin B. Madison Objective Self-Assessment Tool: A Reliable and User-Friendly Approach for Objective Self-Assessment in Microvascular Anastomosis Training. Neurosurgery Practice. 2025 Dec 1;6(4):e000181.
5. Keles A, Baskaya MK. Madison Microneurosurgery Initiative: A Tribute to Professor M. Gazi Yaşargil’s Legacy in Microvascular Surgery Training. Part I – A Brief History of Microsurgery and Yaşargil’s Contributions. Turk Neurosurg. 2026;36(Special Issue in Memoriam Prof. M. Gazi Yaşargil):19-25. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.50985-26.0. PMID: 42333795.
6. Keles A, Baskaya MK. Madison Microneurosurgery Initiative: A Tribute to Professor M. Gazi Yaşargil’s Legacy in Microvascular Surgery Training. Part II – Principles Applied and Practices Implemented. Turk Neurosurg. 2026;36(Special Issue in Memoriam Prof. M. Gazi Yaşargil):26-37. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.50991-26.0. PMID: 42333796.