This book covers all ethical aspects of introducing novel implants and procedures in neurosurgery in a structured way, addressing the current knowledge gap concerning ethical innovations in neurosurgery. Initially it explores the difficulties involved in defining when a procedure should be considered innovation, research, or care. To this end, it presents not only an overview of current literature, but also data from a recent survey among neurosurgeons in Europe. The book subsequently discusses the ethical issues related to innovation. These include: informed consent (what should a surgeon tell the patient and how should he/she do so), oversight (can any surgeon simply implant a novel spinal device?), the learning curve (when should a surgeon be allowed to perform a novel procedure?), vulnerable patients (how to innovate in the pediatric population or in an emergency setting), and conflicts of interest, as well as the ethics of paying for innovative treatments. In turn, the closing chapters focus on the evaluation of neurosurgical research and innovation. Are cultural changes necessary and how could innovation benefit from (international) collaborations? Given the range of topics addressed, the book offers neurosurgeons, residents, scientists, companies and hospital administrations a valuable guide to introducing novel implants and techniques in neurosurgery.

This book is a combination of ideas and experiences from over 100 dedicated and brilliant neurosurgeons around the world. Their common goal is to provide data for a deeper understanding of the multi-faceted aspects of neurosurgery and, by doing so, to better serve patients across the globe. Scientific curiosity, deep dedication, incredible work ethics, entrepreneurship, and creativity are the common traits among all neurosurgeons, and not the exception. By allowing readers to see the field of neurosurgery from the perspectives of surgeons spanning five continents, this book serves to provide multiple, diverse viewpoints and to build a foundation for future collaborations. The book’s 24 chapters are organized into 3 parts. Part I provides the reader with an overview of the role of neurosurgery in worldwide health care, its evolution over the past decades, the current state and future directions of each neurosurgical subspecialty across the five continents. Over the years, the overarching goal for neurosurgeons has been to develop new, more effective and high-end solutions for complex diseases and to provide access to neurosurgical services for all patients. Part II discusses the differences and similarities of neurosurgery education and training across the globe, providing a snapshot of how new tools, technology, and paradigms reduce inequality and increase access to neurosurgical education. Educational accomplishments and challenges still present for the in different regions of the world are reviewed. Part III focuses on economic aspects influencing neurosurgery globally, including how to make efficient decisions in the face of scarcity, yet demand. The authors provide theories, models, and tools helpful to apply when planning to allocate resources, not just financial, but also human and intellectual. A deeper understanding of economics does not necessarily provide the answer to the problem; rather it provides the tools to find an answer, or, ideally, multiple possible solutions. Neurosurgery and Global Health is the first comprehensive guide to the role of neurosurgery in the global health care sphere, providing an in-depth compendium about the understanding of the neurosurgical role within global health, its efforts in the education of tomorrow’s workforce, and the economic aspects driving the field.

In the last few years, the development of new technologies in the medical field has allowed procedures and improved surgical techniques to be performed, which until recently would have been unthinkable.Modern neurosurgery is forever tied to technological progress: the development of robotics and robotic-assisted surgery; enhanced visualization, perfusion, and function monitoring in vascular surgery; new techniques of bone reconstruction; new cerebral imaging tools; and alternative treatments such as laser interstitial thermal therapy or immunotherapy for tumors. This book is designed to be a comprehensive introduction to these new developments and to their application in clinical practice. We have tried to provide a unique background and insights to coherently present these new technologies.

Provides guidance on how to perform a wide-variety of techniques in spine surgery. Topics covered include immobilization techniques, anterior and posterior approaches, and thoracic spine surgery.

Image-Guided Neurosurgery provides readers with an update on the revolutionary improvements in imaging and visualization relating to neurosurgery. From the development of the pneumoencephalogram, to the operating microscope, to cross sectional imaging with CT and later MRI, to stereotaxy and neuronavigation, the ability to visualize the pathology and surrounding neural structures has been the driving factor leading surgical innovation and improved outcomes. The book provides a comprehensive reference on the application of contemporary imaging technologies used in neurosurgery. Specific techniques discussed include brain biopsies, brain tumor resection, deep brain stimulation, and more. The book is ideal for neurosurgeons, interventional radiologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, and radiologists, as well as technical experts in imaging, image analysis, computer science, and biomedical engineering. A comprehensive reference on image-guided neurosurgery Includes coverage of neuronavigation in cranial surgery and advanced imaging, including functional imaging, adoption of intra-operative MRI and emerging technologies Covers all image-guided neurosurgery tools, including robotic surgical devices Ideal reference for topics relating to neurosurgery, imaging, stereotaxis, radiosurgery, radiology, epilepsy, MRI, the use of medical robotics, lasers, and more

This book offers readers fresh insights on applying Extended Reality to Digital Anatomy, a novel emerging discipline. Indeed, the way professors teach anatomy in classrooms is changing rapidly as novel technology-based approaches become ever more accessible. Recent studies show that Virtual (VR), Augmented (AR), and Mixed-Reality (MR) can improve both retention and learning outcomes. Readers will find relevant tutorials about three-dimensional reconstruction techniques to perform virtual dissections. Several chapters serve as practical manuals for students and trainers in anatomy to refresh or develop their Digital Anatomy skills. We developed this book as a support tool for collaborative efforts around Digital Anatomy, especially in distance learning, international and interdisciplinary contexts. We aim to leverage source material in this book to support new Digital Anatomy courses and syllabi in interdepartmental, interdisciplinary collaborations. Digital Anatomy – Applications of Virtual, Mixed and Augmented Reality provides a valuable tool to foster cross-disciplinary dialogues between anatomists, surgeons, radiologists, clinicians, computer scientists, course designers, and industry practitioners. It is the result of a multidisciplinary exercise and will undoubtedly catalyze new specialties and collaborative Master and Doctoral level courses world-wide. In this perspective, the UNESCO Chair in digital anatomy was created at the Paris Descartes University in 2015 (www.anatomieunesco.org). It aims to federate the education of anatomy around university partners from all over the world, wishing to use these new 3D modeling techniques of the human body.