About The Neurosurgeon

A leader in Functional Neurosurgery, Dr. Abigail Javier-Lizan utilizes Awake Craniotomy to safely navigate complex brain regions. This cutting-edge approach provides superior surgical outcomes, increases patient survival, reduces neurologic risks, and promotes better long-term quality of life.

She is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon abroad who specializes in performing brain surgeries on awake patients. This advanced surgical technique enables real-time monitoring of brain activity during the procedure, helping to preserve critical functions such as motor skills, speech, memory, comprehension and other higher-cognitive functions.



Expert Speaker on Awake Craniotomy

  • Functional Neuro-Oncology: A Paradigm Shift (2018)
  • Awake Craniotomy and Functional Brain Mapping for Brain Metastasis (2019)
  • Insights Into Awake Craniotomy: Neurosurgery Through The Looking Glass, Meeting Current Standards of Care (2020)
  • Early Maximal Safe Resection of Low-Grade Glioma: Awake Craniotomy with Functional Brain Mapping (2021) *
  • Basic and Advanced Motor Mapping for Glioma (2022) *
  • The Essence of Neuroscience in Neurosurgery: Because White Matters Most (2023)
  • Embracing the Principles of Neuroscience in the Operating Room: The Awake Craniotomy (2024)
  • Cutting-Edge Approaches: Awake Craniotomy in the Management of Low-Grade Glioma (2025)

Neurosurgery Sub-Specialty

  • Awake Craniotomy and Functional Brain Mapping for Gliomas, other brain tumors, and vascular lesions.
  • Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring [IONM] for adult and pediatric brain and spine surgeries. 

Neurosurgery Specialty

  • Adult and Pediatric Brain and Spine Tumors
  • Vascular lesions: Aneurysm, AV Malformation, Cavernoma, AV fistula, Carotid-Cavernous Fistula (CCF)
    • Open Brain and Spine surgery e.g. Aneurysm Clipping 
    • Endovascular Coiling, Embolization, etc
    • Gamma Knife Surgery 
  • Stroke Surgery: Evacuation of Hematomas, Decompressive Hemicraniectomy, Thrombectomy, etc
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries: Epidural Hematoma, Subdural Hematoma, Contusion Hematoma, Gunshot Wound, Skull Fractures, etc 
  • Pediatric / Congenital: VP Shunting, Craniosynostosis Surgery, Tethered Cord, Chiari Decompression, Repair of Meningoceoele and Encephalocoele, etc
  • Spine: Open Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery [MIS]
    • Degenerative Disc Disease / Herniated Disc 
    • Spinal Instability 
    • Spinal Cord Injury
    • Adult and Pediatric Spine Tumors
    • Adult and Pediatric Spinal Malformations and Fistulas
  • Others: Trigeminal Neuralgia

Board Certified Neurosurgeon

  • Fellow, Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons, Inc.
  • Diplomate, Philippine Board of Neurosurgeons

Medical Background

  • Pre-Medicine: Silliman University 
  • Medical Degree: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
  • Post-Graudate Internship: University of Santo Tomas Hospital 
  • General Surgery Residency Training: Veterans Memorial Medical Center 
  • Neurosurgery Residency Training: AFP Medical Center 
  • Fellowship Training (Austria): Medical University of Graz
  • Clinical Attachment (France): Montpellier University Hospital

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