Who is Dr. Rodrigo Ávila Cervantes?

Dr. Rodrigo Ávila Cervantes is a spine neurosurgeon practising in Mexico City. He is board-certified in neurological surgery in Mexico (Consejo Mexicano de Cirugía Neurológica), a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS) and of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (FCNS), and serves as Director and Co-Founder of CICOVE — the Centro Internacional de Columna Vertebral. His practice is based at Hospital Ángeles del Pedregal, which is accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI). Approximately half of his surgical practice consists of revision spine surgery — patients whose first operation with another surgeon did not resolve the problem.

What is revision spine surgery, and who needs it?

Revision spine surgery is a second (or subsequent) operation performed when a previous spine surgery did not achieve the expected result. Patients who may need revision surgery typically present with one of four scenarios: persistent or recurrent pain after a previous operation (failed back surgery syndrome, FBSS); a failed fusion or pseudarthrosis, where the bone did not consolidate; adjacent segment disease, where degeneration occurs at the level above or below a previous fusion; or hardware problems such as malpositioned screws, cage migration, rod fracture or loosening. Revision cases are technically more demanding than primary surgery and benefit from a surgeon with focused experience in this area.

Why do international patients travel to Mexico City for spine surgery?

International patients from the United States, Canada and Europe travel to Mexico City for spine surgery for three main reasons: access to surgeons with international credentials (FAANS, FCNS, AOSpine) practising at hospitals accredited by Joint Commission International, such as Hospital Ángeles del Pedregal; significantly lower costs compared with private surgery in the United States (often 50–70% less); and shorter scheduling times compared with insurer referral pathways. Mexico City also offers consultations in English, modern infrastructure, and itemised documentation suitable for reimbursement claims with major international insurers such as BUPA International, Cigna Global, Aetna International, GeoBlue and Allianz Care.

Where does Dr. Ávila operate, and which insurers does he accept?

Dr. Ávila's practice is based at Hospital Ángeles del Pedregal in Mexico City (JCI-accredited). Surgeries are performed at Mexico City's major hospital groups — Hospital Ángeles, San Ángel Inn, Star Médica, Hospital MAC and Médica Sur — choosing the hospital for each patient according to their policy and the complexity of the case. Mexican insurers with direct billing arrangements include AXA, MetLife, GNP, Seguros Monterrey, Allianz and BUPA, along with most major Mexican carriers. International patients with plans such as BUPA International, Cigna Global, Aetna International, GeoBlue and Allianz Care are accepted on a reimbursement basis, with itemised invoices and medical reports for their claims. Coverage always depends on the individual policy and prior authorisation.

How do I request a consultation or send my imaging studies?

First contact is by WhatsApp at +52 55 3270 9776 or by sending your imaging studies through the form at dravilaspine.us. You receive a personal response within 48–72 hours of your studies arriving. The first consultation can take place by Zoom before any travel, in English or Spanish, and the practice provides a personalised concierge service coordinating airport transfer, hospital, hotel and follow-up.

Spine Neurosurgeon in Mexico City

About the physician

Every case is evaluated individually — never by protocol.

Dr. Rodrigo Ávila Cervantes, neurocirujano de columna.

His practice centers on microsurgery and minimally invasive techniques, with particular experience in spine revision surgery — cases where a prior intervention did not resolve the condition. Up to 50% of his surgical patients were previously operated on by another surgeon, and that first operation did not resolve the problem.

Surgery is never the default. It happens only when it is genuinely necessary, using whichever technique best preserves your mobility. CICOVE welcomes patients from across Mexico and abroad for spine revision surgery — the cases a previous surgery didn’t resolve.

Dr. Rodrigo Ávila Cervantes has more than 1,200 verified patient ratings on independent platforms — a reflection of both his surgical outcomes and the quality of care his patients receive in consultation.

1,205+

Verified positive reviews for consultation and surgery — across three platforms

Conditions treated

Whether it's your first surgery or you've already been operated and are still in pain — there is a way to improve your quality of life.

Dr. Ávila evaluates each case individually. No protocols. No automatic surgery. The goal is always the same: that you can live without pain and with mobility.

See conditions treated by Dr. Ávila →

Cirugía de columna con microscopio quirúrgico y monitoreo neurofisiológico intraoperatorio — CICOVE, Ciudad de México — Microsurgery in every case · MIS technique · IONM in 100% of surgeries Why we're different →

Credentials & Affiliations

FAANS · FCNS

Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS) — a designation for board-certified neurosurgeons — and of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (FCNS), reflecting active membership in North America’s two leading neurosurgery societies.

Director & Co-Founder of CICOVE

Current Director and co-founder of CICOVE, a private spine surgery center in Mexico City that welcomes patients from across the country and abroad. Over 50 years of combined institutional experience. 5,000+ patients operated.

JCI-Accredited Hospital

Operates at Hospital Ángeles del Pedregal — the same accreditation held by Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, and Mayo Clinic.

Professional Societies & Memberships

See all credentials

~50%

of his surgical patients

previously operated on by another surgeon, with or without implants

<2%

reoperation rate in first-time surgery patients · first year

in primary cases · literature: 8–20%

Measured in patients undergoing primary spine surgery (no prior spine surgeries) during the first 12 months after the procedure. This rate reflects careful patient selection and choosing the right procedure for the right patient — not operating on those who don’t need it.

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Dr. Rodrigo Ávila Cervantes — CICOVE spine surgery Mexico City

Coordinated care for traveling patients

First consultation via Zoom Airport transfers Hospital transport Hotel booking Follow-up appointments

Personalized concierge service. We coordinate everything except your flights.

CICOVE shuttle frente al Hospital Ángeles del Pedregal — transporte privado para pacientes internacionales — CICOVE shuttle at Hospital Ángeles del Pedregal — private transport included for all international patients. See your visit, day by day →

Real solutions for your spine condition.

Quick guide by your symptom

Every case is evaluated individually — never by protocol.

Whether it's your first surgery or you've already been operated and are still in pain — there is a way to improve your quality of life.