Dr. Aaron Yengo-Kahn, Neurosurgery

Dr. Aaron Yengo-Kahn is a pediatric neurosurgeon in Orange County, California. As an expert in pediatric neurosurgery, Dr. Yengo-Kahn cares for babies, children and teens with a variety of neurologic conditions. He offers care for a full range of neurosurgical conditions including tumors, congenital malformations and traumatic injuries of the brain and spine, craniosynostosis as well as hydrocephalus including neuro-endoscopic procedures as appropriate. He has a particular interest in Chiari malformation and craniocervical disorders of the spine as well as pediatric spinal deformity.

Dr. Yengo-Kahn is focused on clinical research, having published over 100 journal articles with the majority focused within pediatric head trauma and neurosurgery. He has received several awards for his work including The Molly Hubbard Award in 2023 from the Joint Section on Pediatric Neurosurgery for his work to improve the counseling of children with hydrocephalus. His main research focus is on pediatric sport-related injuries including concussion. His work aims to streamline care and education around sport-related concussion and pediatric neurosurgery from diagnosis through treatment to improve the patient and family experience.

“Pediatric neurosurgery is a special field where we have the opportunity to change the trajectory of a child’s life for the better and support them and their family during the hardest moments. The chance to return a child to sports or the activities they enjoy is the greatest motivator to innovate and strive for perfection.”  -Dr. Yengo-Kahn

Locations

CHOC Specialists, Neurosurgery
505 S. Main Street, Suite 300
Orange, CA 92868
phone: 714-509-7070
fax: 714-509-7074

Education

• Medical School
  Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
• Neurological Surgery Residency
  Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
• Neurosurgery Fellowship
  Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Mesina-Estarron I, Earl ER, Chambless LB, Gomes FC, Kestle JR, Limbania D, Sanchez-Gama Y, Self S, Zhang R, Zuckerman SL, Yengo-Kahn AM. Building Bridges: A dual-perspective framework for neurosurgical research mentorship. 2026. (in press)

Mesina-Estarron I, Abruzzo M, Gomes FC, Thaxton M, Meyer K, Yengo-Kahn AM, Stone S, Snyder B, Cahill P, Bauer D, Muhonen M. Clinical evaluation of ThecaFlex DRx, an implantable catheter-port for intrathecal Nusinersen delivery in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: initial results from the Pierre-IDE study. Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases. 2026 (in press)

Jain H, Chanbour H, Zeoli T, Yengo-Kahn AM, Zuckerman S. Multi-level uncinatectomies and posterior column osteotomies to correct a cervical kyphotic deformity: case instruction with intraoperative picture and video. Neurosurgery Practice. 2026. PMID: 41659844

Shin B, Davies J, Self S, Salehi A, Skar G, McCulloh RJ, Olaya J, Yengo-Kahn AM, Klugh A, Loudon W, Lai GY. Safety and feasibility of an irrigating external intracranial drain in children. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. PMID: 41569677

Mesina-Estarron I, Zhang R, Gomes FC, Tandon A, Sassoon A, Tran M, Yengo-Kahn AM. Intradural contractions: spinal lipoma surgery with equivocal electromyography activity. Illustrative Case. Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons. PMID: 41569656

Pathuri, S, Nguyen S, Yengo-Kahn AM, Cheshier SH, Bollo RJ. Laser ablation of a fourth ventricular hamartoma causing medically refractory hemifacial spasms in a child: illustrative case. Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons. PMID: 40063994

Yengo-Kahn AM, Brockmeyer DL, Bollo RJ. Letter to the Editor: The Young Chiari Patient, an Oft Forced Hand? Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. PMID: 40053937

Yengo-Kahn AM, Wellons JC, Jensen H, Kulkarni A, Chu J, Hauptman J, Isaacs A, Jackson E, McDonald PJ, McDowell MM, Pollack IF, Reeder R, Riva-Cambrin J, Rocque BG, Strahle JM, Tamber MS, Kestle JRW. Reimagining Durability of Hydrocephalus Treatment Using Conditional Survival. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. PMID: 39919296

Zagari M, Jo J, Williams K, Yengo-Kahn AM, Vance EH, Bonfield CM, Zuckerman SL, Terry DP. Comparative analysis of sport-related concussion: how do 8-12 year-old athletes differ from 13-17-year-old athletes? Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. PMID: 39270313

Izah J, Haizel-Cobbina J, Zhao S, Vance EH, Dunlap M, Gannon SR, Liles C, Yengo-Kahn AM, Pontell ME, Naftel RP, Wellons JC, Dewan MC. Treatment of hydrocephalus following fetal repair of myelomeningocele: comparing endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization to ventricular shunting. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. PMID: 38905709