Dr. Constantine Plakas - Gulf Coast Brain and Spine Center, fort myers neurosurgeon

SWFL's Most Trusted Brain & Spine Surgeon

Dr Constantine Plakas was born and raised in New York City. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from The Cooper Union and shortly thereafter decided to pursue a career in medicine. He then went on to get a Master’s of Medical Science from Drexel University followed by his Doctor of Medicine from New York Medical College. He completed his neurosurgical residency and endovascular fellowship in Albany, NY, and took his first job with Lee Health in 2015, where he went on to be the Medical Director of Stroke for the Neurovascular Program at Gulf Coast Medical Center. He then decided to open his own practice and Gulf Coast Brain and Spine Center began seeing patients in June 2022.

“Outstanding Physician! Skilled, knowledgeable... most of all took his time, relieved anxiety, very empathetic.”

Patient, Female 60-64Comment: 10/20/2021
Overview

Constantine Plakas, MD, FAANS

Board Certified Neurosurgeon

Dr Constantine Plakas was born and raised in New York City. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from The Cooper Union and shortly thereafter decided to pursue a career in medicine. He then went on to get a Master’s of Medical Science from Drexel University followed by his Doctor of Medicine from New York Medical College. He completed his neurosurgical residency and endovascular fellowship in Albany, NY, and took his first job with Lee Health in 2015, where he went on to be the Medical Director of Stroke for the Neurovascular Program at Gulf Coast Medical Center. He then decided to open his own practice and Gulf Coast Brain and Spine Center began seeing patients in June 2022.

Dr Constantine Plakas is a board-certified neurosurgeon who specializes in most surgical disorders of the brain and spine with fellowship training in vascular disorders of the head, neck and spine, including brain aneurysms, carotid artery stenosis and stroke.

Dr Constantine Plakas has been married to his wife Beth since 2012 and they have 2 awesome children, Leo and Elle. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, spending too much time at Disney, and most importantly, napping.

Timeline

2000
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art – B.S. Engineering

2003
Drexel University – M.M.S.

2008
New York Medical College – M.D.
Neurosurgery Residency – Albany Medical Center
Neuroendovascular Fellowship – Albany Medical Center

Research Experience

Sub-Investigator
Pivotal Study of the LVIS (Low Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support)

Sub-Investigator
Pivotal Study of the Microvention Flow Re-direction Endoluminal Device (FRED) Stent System in the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms

Sub-Investigator
Solitaire FR with the Intention for Thrombectomy as Primary Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke (Swift Prime)

Sub-Investigator
Hydrogel Endovascular Aneurysm Treatment Trial (HEAT)

Minimally Invasive Surgery Laboratory
(NYU–Veterans Affairs Hospital)
Research Supervisor – Dr. Peter Walker
Researched bone cutting and bone modeling in total knee replacement surgery.

Masters Research
Drexel University, Philadelphia PA
Research Supervisor – Dr. Joseph Nickels
Elucidating the role of cdc28 in meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Publications

Riccio A, Villescas V, Plakas C, Dalfino J. (2016): Utilizing Real-time Pressure and Tissue Oxygenation Monitoring to Assess the Adequacy of Hinge Craniotomy. Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery. 6: 26-28

Rice LM, Plakas C, Nickels JT. (2005): Loss of Meiotic Rereplication Block in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Cells Defective in cdc28p Regulation. Eukaryotic Cell. 4: 55-62.

Book Chapters

De La Cruz P, Plakas C, Ramirez A, Pilitsis J. Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson Disease. In “Neurosurgery Knowledge Update”, edited by Harbaugh RE, Shaffrey C, Couldwell WT, Berger M, New York, NY: Thieme Medical Publishers, 2015. Chapter 44

Phookan S, Plakas C, Ramirez A, Pilitsis J. Deep Brain Stimulation for Essential Tremor. In “Neurosurgery Knowledge Update”, edited by Harbaugh RE, Shaffrey C, Couldwell WT, Berger M, New York, NY: Thieme Medical Publishers, 2015. Chapter 45

Keating SL, Plakas C, Pilitsis J. Spinal Cord Stimulation for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. In “Neurosurgery Knowledge Update”, edited by Harbaugh RE, Shaffrey C, Couldwell WT, Berger M, New York, NY: Thieme Medical Publishers, 2015. Chapter 48

Presentations

Kenning T, Drazin D, Plakas C, Calayag M, Gifford E, Petronis K, DiRisio D (2009, March). Immediate and Long-term Outcomes for Multilevel Anterior Cervical Fusions. Oral presentation at the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves. Phoenix, Arizona.

Gandhi R, Riccio A, Plakas C, Yamamoto J, Boulos A (2012, February). Comparison of Outcomes for Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms Clipped via a Basal Interhemispheric Approach vs. a Pterional Approach. Oral presentation at the NASBS annual meeting. Las Vegas, Nevada.

Posters

Paul AR, Plakas C, Gooch MR, Dalfino JC, Yamamoto J, Boulos A (2015, September). Experience with a New Generation of Nitinol Stents for Endovascular Treatment of Unruptured Aneurysms at a Single Center. Digital poster at Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2015 annual meeting. New Orleans, Louisiana.

Paul AR, Plakas C, Gooch MR, Dalfino JC, Yamamoto J, Boulos A (2015, September). Determining Factors which Contribute to Clopidogrel Resistance in Patients Undergoing Endovascular Stent Placement for Unruptured Aneurysm Treatment. Digital poster at Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2015 annual meeting. New Orleans, Louisiana.

Paul AR, Plakas C, Yamamoto J, Dalfino JC, Boulos A (2014, October). Conversion of External Ventricular Drains to Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts: Comparison of Utilizing an Existing Burr Hole versus Creation of a New Burr Hole. Digital poster at Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2014 annual meeting. Boston, Massachusetts.

Gandhi R, Walsh S, Plakas C, Boulos A (2010, February). Treatment of Symptomatic Intracranial Stenosis in Diabetic Patients: Clinical Outcomes After Angioplasty, Stent, or Bypass. Poster at the AANS/CNS Cerebrovascular Section 2010 annual meeting. San Antonio, Texas.