i
Loading Page
loading, please wait

Select Year:

Home > AK Providers > Neurosurgeons
placeholder image of provider

Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD

(No ratings)

Specializes in: Neurosurgery
West Virginia University School of Medicine (1987)
Professional interests include: arteriovenous malformation (AVM), peripheral nerve surgery, brain surgery, and more.
301 W Northern Lights Boulevard Suite 400
Anchorage, AK 99503

Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD is a neurosurgeon in Anchorage, AK specializing in neurosurgery. She graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1987 and has 39 years of experience. Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD is affiliated with Providence, Providence Alaska Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital.

View Doctor's Full Profile (907) 563-4810

Office Locations

301 W Northern Lights Boulevard Suite 400
Anchorage, AK 99503
open_in_new

Providence Alaska Medical Center

4100 Lake Otis Parkway Suite 320
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 563-4810
open_in_new

Some issues Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD can help you with:

Craniotomy

Craniotomy and craniectomy are surgical procedures used to access the brain and treat tumors, intracranial pressure, or other conditions. These surgeries are performed by creating holes in the skull, or cranium, to expose the brain. The opening in the skull can be immediately replaced (craniotomy), or it can be replaced during a later procedure (craniectomy). The following procedures use craniotomy or craniectomy:

  • Brain biopsy, which is done by guiding a needle through the opening in the skull to the targeted area of the brain. This procedure may be performed through an open or minimally invasive approach. The minimally invasive approach, called stereotactic brain biopsy, uses a computer to guide the needle.
  • Brain tumor resection, which may be performed following a biopsy with image guidance. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, resection will require 2-5 hours.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak repair, particularly for leaks that continue for a long period of time after a surgery. CSF leaks that are left untreated can lead to complications such as meningitis, an inflammation of the outer layers (meninges) of the brain.
  • Decompression, often following a stroke or injury. Decompressive craniotomy or craniectomy temporarily removes a flap from the skull to give the brain more room for swelling, which provides pressure relief.
  • Hematoma evacuation, which can also relieve pressure on the brain. A hematoma is a swelling of clotted blood. It can occur between the skull and the outer covering of the brain, or dura (epidural), between the dura and the brain (subdural), and within the brain (intracerebral). Craniotomy or craniectomy may be used to access and remove the hematoma.

To perform a craniotomy, the surgeon will need to make an incision on the scalp to expose the skull. Some of the hair may be shaved, and the scalp will be cleaned with antiseptic solution. Following the incision, the surgeon will use a drill to remove a piece of the skull, called a bone or skull flap. If the surgeon needs to reach a tumor or perform an aspiration, the dura, which covers the brain, will be incised (cut) to access the lesion. The bone flap will be reattached once the surgeon has completed the procedure. If the surgeon is performing a craniectomy, the same steps will be followed, but a mesh piece will be placed where the bone flap was, and the scalp will be surgically closed. Patients will need to wear a special helmet for a few months after the procedure. The bone flap will be preserved and replaced during a later operation, or it may never be replaced.

Patient recovery period can range from two days to two weeks, depending on the specific procedure and condition. Patient will require monitoring and may be given medication for pain or brain swelling. Patients will have to restrict their physical activity for some time after the procedure, and they may need to work with a physical therapist.

Hydrocephalus

Normally, the brain is bathed in a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid cushions and nurtures the brain cells as it flows around and through the brain. Sometimes, cerebrospinal fluid does not get reabsorbed into the body properly, or a blockage in the brain can stop it from flowing. This causes a buildup of pressure called hydrocephalus. This condition affects a wide range of people, but it is much more prevalent among infants and older adults. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as headaches and blurred vision, and eventually may cause brain damage.

Hydrocephalus is most often treated with an implanted device called a shunt. A shunt is a long, thin tube that is used to drain excess fluid. One end is placed within the brain. The tube runs under the skin, along the neck behind the ear, and to another part of the body where the fluid can be reabsorbed. Most often this is the abdomen, but the chest or other areas can also be used. Shunts have a valve that allows doctors to monitor and control the pressure within the brain. Insertion of a shunt is a surgical procedure that takes one to two hours. Incisions are made in the head and the abdomen, and the shunt is threaded into place before the openings are stitched closed.

In cases where hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage, a procedure called endoscopic third ventriculostomy, or ETV, may be performed. During this procedure, a surgeon makes a dime-sized hole in the skull and uses a thin tube with a camera on the end (called an endoscope) to see inside the brain. The surgeon punctures a hole in the floor of the third ventricle, a fluid-filled space within the brain. The hole provides an opening for cerebrospinal fluid to flow around the blockage, normalizing pressure. The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour and patients can often go home the following day. ETV can provide a permanent and safe alternative to a shunt, but it is only useful for patients whose hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage.

Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to permanently join together two or more vertebrae, the bones in the spine. Certain spinal disorders can lead to instability and pain, and the idea behind spinal fusion is that fusing vertebrae together can both make them stronger and reduce motion, which can sometimes reduce pain.

There are several different types of spinal fusion surgery available, mostly depending on where a patient's pain is located and whether his or her surgeon will perform the procedure through the back, front, or side. In general, a fusion is performed by packing the vertebrae to be fused with grafted bone. This bone may be taken from the patient's hip, may be donated from a cadaver, or it may be a manufactured synthetic material. The bone is placed along the vertebrae, and sometimes, the disc that lies in between the vertebrae is removed and replaced with grafted bone. The bone material will grow and cement the two vertebrae together. After the bone graft is placed, the vertebrae are sometimes held in place with rods, screws, plates, or cages, depending on the weakness of the spine and needs of the graft.

Spinal fusion is a significant surgery and can take three to four hours or more. Recovery is typically two to four days in the hospital. After surgery, it is important to remember that the fusion takes time to grow from the bone graft. So, the actual fusion is not complete for several months. Patients will probably feel somewhat better right away, but it may take a while to feel the full effects of the fusion as the bone grows into place. In the meantime, doctors might have patients wear a brace to protect their spine and keep it properly aligned.

Spinal fusion is not used for all kinds of back pain. Changing the way the spine moves can lead to strain on the other joints in the back, and fusion is only performed when the benefits outweigh the risks. Some spine disorders that are treated with fusion include:

  • Curvature disorders, such as scoliosis and kyphosis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Spondylolisthesis, a disorder that causes vertebrae to slip over each other
  • Significant spinal fractures that cause instability
  • Weakened spine due to infection or tumor
  • Some cases of spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column
  • Chronic lower back pain (although the use of fusion to treat this is controversial)

Regardless of the diagnosis, there is always a possibility of 'failure' with spinal fusion, or of the surgery not fully solving the pain. This is more likely when fusion is used primarily to treat pain instead of structural problems. Patients can improve their chances of a successful outcome by stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, moving their body every day, and following their doctor's instructions for any physical therapy that they are prescribed.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

decompressive lumbar laminectomy
laminectomy
laminectomy with foraminotomy and facetectomy
spinal decompression surgery

In 2023, Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD performed more decompressive lumbar laminectomy, laminectomy, laminectomy with foraminotomy and facetectomy, and spinal decompression surgery procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of providers in related specialties within Alaska.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 40

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 97

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD.

Gender
Male 42
Female 33
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 54
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 27
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 31

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD in 2013

Hypertension 61
High Cholesterol 37
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 32
Depression 35
Chronic Kidney Disease 19
Asthma 15
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 40
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 129

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD.

Gender
Male 55
Female 31
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 65
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 34
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 26

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD in 2014

Hypertension 63
High Cholesterol 34
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 27
Depression 34
Chronic Kidney Disease 17
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 13
Diabetes 40
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2015 were nerve procedures, decompression surgery and spinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery 12
doctor visit 188
nerve procedures 12
spinal procedures 12

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD.

Gender
Male 126
Female 120
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 180
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 24
Age
From 65 to 74 102
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 90

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD in 2015

Hypertension 61
High Cholesterol 32
Stroke 9
Ischemic Heart Disease 24
Depression 27
Chronic Kidney Disease 20
Asthma 10
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 26
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2016 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 182
hospital care 11
inpatient care 11

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD.

Gender
Male 63
Female 83
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 116
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 11
Age
From 65 to 74 58
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 50

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD in 2016

Hypertension 62
High Cholesterol 34
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 23
Depression 27
Chronic Kidney Disease 21
Asthma 18
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 14
Diabetes 25
Dementia 8
Cancer 12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 181

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD.

Gender
Male 79
Female 63
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 108
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 11
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 73
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 35

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD in 2017

Hypertension 58
High Cholesterol 26
Stroke 10
Ischemic Heart Disease 23
Depression 24
Chronic Kidney Disease 20
Asthma 11
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 8
Heart Failure 8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 25
Dementia 14
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 193

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD.

Gender
Male 66
Female 66
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 102
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 12
Age
From 65 to 74 60
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 45

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD in 2018

Hypertension 64
High Cholesterol 33
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 27
Depression 27
Chronic Kidney Disease 30
Asthma 11
Osteoperosis 12
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 33
Dementia 8
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2019 were hospital care, inpatient care and emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 198
emergency care 16
hospital care 24
inpatient care 24

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD.

Gender
Male 68
Female 87
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 131
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 75
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 43

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD in 2019

Hypertension 63
High Cholesterol 41
Stroke 11
Ischemic Heart Disease 25
Depression 31
Chronic Kidney Disease 28
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 15
Diabetes 23
Dementia 12
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2020 were nerve procedures, decompression surgery and spinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery 11
doctor visit 229
nerve procedures 11
spinal procedures 11

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD.

Gender
Male 65
Female 83
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 117
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 66
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 47

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD in 2020

Hypertension 59
High Cholesterol 42
Stroke 8
Ischemic Heart Disease 19
Depression 26
Chronic Kidney Disease 28
Asthma 7
Osteoperosis 11
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11
Diabetes 28
Dementia 8
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2021 were nerve procedures, decompression surgery, spinal procedures and neck surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) 12
decompression surgery 29
doctor visit 292
neck surgery 12
nerve procedures 29
spinal procedures 29

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD.

Gender
Male 73
Female 113
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 150
Black 0
Hispanic 12
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 93
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 49

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD in 2021

Hypertension 65
High Cholesterol 44
Stroke 10
Ischemic Heart Disease 31
Depression 24
Chronic Kidney Disease 30
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 14
Atrial Fibrilation 8
Heart Failure 16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 28
Dementia 8
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2022 were nerve procedures, decompression surgery and spinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery 16
doctor visit 282
nerve procedures 16
spinal procedures 16

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD.

Gender
Male 75
Female 118
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 163
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 87
From 75 to 84 52
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD in 2022

Hypertension 73
High Cholesterol 56
Stroke 15
Ischemic Heart Disease 20
Depression 24
Chronic Kidney Disease 14
Asthma 19
Osteoperosis 18
Atrial Fibrilation 14
Heart Failure 14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 19
Diabetes 28
Dementia 10
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Anchorage, AK were nerve procedures, hospital care, decompression surgery and inpatient care.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) 12
decompression surgery 17
doctor visit 182
emergency care 16
hospital care 17
inpatient care 17
neck surgery 12
nerve procedures 17
spinal procedures 17

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD.

Gender
Male 64
Female 72
Ethnicity
Black / African American 0
Asian / Pacific Islander 1
Non-Hispanic White 107
Native American / Alaskan Native 4
Hispanic 1
Other 0
Age
75 to 84 4
85 and over 0
Less than 65 37
65 to 74 61

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and depression.

Hypertension 57
High Cholesterol 34
Stroke 5
Ischemic Heart Disease 22
Depression 25
Chronic Kidney Disease 20
Asthma 9
Osteoporosis 5
Heart Failure 10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 26
Atrial Fibrillation 2
Dementia 6
Cancer 3

Education & Training

Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1987. She completed residency at University of Louisville Affiliated Hospitals. She has a state license in Alaska.

Medical School: West Virginia University School of Medicine (1987)

Residency: University of Louisville Affiliated Hospitals (1993)

Licensed In: Alaska

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Providence
Providence Alaska Medical Center
Alaska Regional Hospital

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD does not have any reviews yet, be the first to leave a review of Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD here: Leave a Review

(No ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Susanne E. Fix, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
NUVASIVE, INC. $2,945 ALIF
$1,239 		XLIF
$994 		Reline
$259 		iGA
$64 		LessRay
$48 		Other
$341
SI-Bone, Inc. $1,491 iFuse Implant
$1,491
Cerapedics, Inc. $632 i-FACTOR Putty
$632
DePuy Synthes Sales Inc. $226 VIPER
$146 		Symphony
$43 		SYNFIX
$37
Medtronic USA, Inc. $197 ELEVATE
$136 		Grafton
$38 		O-ARM-Spine
$22
Other $474 PRODISC L
$111 		ONFI
$94 		Xeomin
$44 		TRINITY
$32 		OsteoAMP
$25 		Other
$169
Types of Payments
Travel and Lodging $4,000
Food and Beverage $1,465
Honoraria $500

Biography

Dr. Susanne Fix practices neurosurgery in Anchorage, AK. She obtained her medical school training at West Virginia University School of Medicine and performed her residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of Louisville. These areas are among her clinical interests: facial pain, kyphoplasty (vertebral augmentation), and oligodendroglioma. Dr. Fix is professionally affiliated with Alaska Regional Hospital and Providence Alaska Medical Center.

Neurosurgeons in Nearby Locations

Other Providers in Anchorage, AK