Dr. Muralidharan Vetrivel

Dr. Muralidharan Vetrivel is a Chennai-based neurosurgeon known for his calm, precise approach to some of the most complex conditions the brain and spine can present. Over a career spanning more than 14 years, he has built a reputation in cerebrovascular disease, brain tumor surgery, and interventional neuroradiology — areas that demand both surgical skill and split-second decision-making. He currently practises at Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre (RIMC), one of South India's leading tertiary-care hospitals.

His training reads like a map of the world's best neurosurgical centres. He completed his MBBS at the iconic Madras Medical College before going on to a rigorous six-year integrated MCh programme in Neurosurgery at Christian Medical College, Vellore — widely regarded as one of India's finest training grounds. He then pursued a fellowship in Endovascular Neurosurgery at the University of Catania, Italy, and received specialised microvascular anastomosis training at the Christian Doppler Medical Centre in Salzburg, Austria, and Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, Netherlands. That blend of Indian clinical depth and European technical refinement is something patients notice from their very first conversation with him.

In practice, Dr. Vetrivel has performed over 1,600 surgeries, including more than 841 cranial procedures, 210 spinal surgeries, and 433 endovascular interventions such as aneurysm coiling and stroke thrombectomy. He has helped build neurovascular and stroke care systems, led multidisciplinary teams, and contributed research to peer-reviewed journals including World Neurosurgery, Neurology India, and BMC Neurology. He has also been invited to speak at the World Neurosciences Summit, the Neurological Society of India, and TEDx — a reflection of how seriously his peers regard both his clinical work and his ability to communicate it.

For international patients and families coming to Chennai for care, Dr. Vetrivel offers something beyond technical skill: he takes the time to explain a diagnosis clearly, discusses every option honestly, and works closely with his team to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Gaf Healthcare partners with him because patients consistently tell us they felt genuinely heard — and genuinely safe.