Find a Top Neurosurgeon Near Me in Austin, TX – Book an Appointment Instantly

Desh Sahni, MD, at Capital Brain & Spine is one of only a handful of Texas surgeons trained in both neurosurgery and spine surgery. He is also one of the few spine surgeons in Central Texas who specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery. Much of his work is done through incisions that are often one inch or less. Almost all his surgeries are done through a microscope with limited bleeding and tissue damage.

Most importantly, he is a highly skilled surgeon who aspires for perfection in patient outcomes. Dr. Sahni employs a scholarly, science-based approach to neurospine surgery and provides humane and compassionate patient-centric care.

Open-minded and non-judgmental, Dr. Sahni and his staff welcome all patients with warmth.

Brief Biosketch

Dr. Sahni was raised in New York and received his undergraduate degree in English literature from Columbia University and his Medical Degree from Columbia’s College of Physicians & Surgeons in Manhattan, NYC. He relocated to Texas to undergo neurosurgical training at the Baylor College of Medicine/MD Anderson in Houston. He then completed a fellowship in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery at the Texas Medical Center Spine Fellowship program where he trained at Houston Methodist Hospital, MD Anderson, and Texas Children’s Hospital. He is certified by the American Board of Clinical Neurosurgery.

Dr. Sahni has extensive experience and training in neurotrauma: both brain and spine. He is highly regarded as one of the most experienced and capable neurotrauma surgeons in central Texas. He had the privilege and honor of serving as the neurotrauma coordinator for the busiest ER in Central Texas: St. David’s South Austin Hospital, a level 2 trauma center, for 4 years and was trusted as the primary on-call neurosurgeon for their trauma center for more than 5 years. During this extremely demanding period of service to the people of Austin - where he was required to respond to emergencies in 30 minutes 24 hours a day, sometimes weeks at a time - Dr. Sahni saved the lives of and prevented paralysis in dozens of patients while relieving pain and disability in hundreds more.

Dr. Sahni believes in treating patients as he would himself and thinks compassion is a good guiding principle in one’s moral compass. He advocates for nontraditional, nonsurgical therapies for spinal health, including chiropractic care, yoga, meditation, Tai-chi, acupuncture, and strength training.

Dr. Sahni is married with three children and a 4 lb chihuahua. He is a beginner pianist who practices daily meditation, intermittent fasting, high-intensity interval training, and light resistance training.

Thomas Loftus, MD, FAANS, is a board-certified neurological surgeon specializing in minimally invasive surgery and the founder of Austin Neurosurgical Institute in Austin, Texas. Dr. Loftus has been in practice for over two decades and is among the most experienced minimally invasive spine surgeons in the United States. He holds numerous patents related to minimally invasive spine surgery and has taught numerous courses regarding techniques in his field.

Dr. Loftus earned his bachelor’s degree in zoology at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, where he graduated Cum Laude. He went on to graduate with his medical degree from the University of Texas- Southwestern Medical School at Dallas in 1997. He continued his training with general surgery and neurological surgery residencies at the University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics and was named the chief resident of neurological surgery in his final year. 

To further his expertise, Dr. Loftus pursued an Endovascular/Cerebrovascular Fellowship at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri and a Complex Spine Fellowship at Columbia Orthopedic Group in Missouri. 

Dr. Loftus is a member of several professional organizations, including the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the North American Spine Society, the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, the Texas Medical Association, the Travis County Medical Society, and the American Academy of Physicians and Surgeons. He is also a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Throughout his career, Dr. Loftus has received several awards for excellence in his field and been recognized as a top-ranked spine surgeon from Dexur, a healthcare news and research firm.

Click to see Dr. Thomas Loftus's CV.