Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery · University of Kansas Medical Center
Spine surgeon. Researcher. Focused on what works.
Board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery. Writing about surgical workflow, imaging, and the responsible use of technology in clinical practice.
Areas of Expertise
Comprehensive spine care from diagnosis through recovery
Every patient and every spine is different. My approach centers on precise diagnosis, honest conversations about options, and surgery only when it serves the patient's goals.
Minimally Invasive & Degenerative Spine Surgery
Faster recovery and less pain through small-incision techniques that minimize tissue disruption. Treatment of stenosis, disc herniation, and spondylolisthesis.
Complex Reconstruction & Deformity
Correction of scoliosis, kyphosis, and other complex spinal deformities. Adult deformity correction with instrumented fusion.
Revision Spine Surgery
Expert management of unsuccessful prior spine procedures with a focus on improved outcomes and careful re-evaluation.
Spinal Tumors & Trauma
Treatment of spinal tumors and traumatic spinal injuries requiring surgical intervention, including intradural and extradural pathology.
Advanced Imaging & Surgical Planning
Leveraging intraoperative CT, navigation, and robotic-assisted technology for greater precision and safety during complex procedures.
Motion-Preserving & Selected Modern Techniques
Disc replacement and motion-preserving approaches in appropriate candidates, guided by evidence rather than trend.
Selected Areas of Interest
Revision spine surgery
Adult deformity and complex reconstruction
Motion-preserving options in selected patients
Advanced imaging in difficult diagnostic cases
Published In
Ideas & Writing
Thinking in public about surgery, systems, and care
Surgery & Decision-Making
The Case for Slower Decisions in Elective Spine Surgery
Why the gap between a patient's first visit and the operating room may be the most important variable in outcomes we rarely measure.
March 2026
Workflow & Systems
Rethinking the Preoperative Imaging Workflow
A practical framework for when advanced imaging adds clarity versus complexity in routine lumbar surgery.
February 2026
Technology & Innovation
What Surgeons Actually Need from Intraoperative Navigation
Moving past the feature list to ask what really changes outcomes, workflow, and confidence in the OR.
January 2026
Selected Publications
Peer-reviewed research and academic contributions
De Stefano FA, Dharia AA, Guillotte AR, Minchew HM, McCandless MG, Rouse AG, Ohiorhenuan IE. "Radiographic and Clinical Comparison of Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Versus Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion With Expandable Cage." Int J Spine Surg. 2026.
Dharia AA, Guillotte AR, De Stefano FA, Birney MJ, Rouse AG, Ohiorhenuan IE. "Coronal Deformity is Associated With Uptake on Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Patients With Low Back Pain." Global Spine J. 2024.
Dharia AA, Guillotte AR, De Stefano FA, Rouse AG, Ohiorhenuan IE. "Biomechanical Predictors of Sacroiliac Joint Uptake on Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography." World Neurosurg. 2024.
For Patients & Referring Physicians
Schedule a Consultation
Let's meet in person and I will take the time to properly address your concerns.