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On the Initiation of World Neurosurgery
Inaugural Issue Commentaries On the Initiation of WORLD NEUROSURGERY
Adelola Adeloye, M.B., M.S., F.R.C.S., F.R.C.P., F.A.C.S. (Hon.) Honorary President, World Federation of Neurological Societies Department of Surgery, University of Ibadan College of Medicine, Ibadan, Nigeria
D
uring the past 50 years and more, our specialty of neurological surgery has evolved into a global discipline through the efforts of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS). It is appropriate that events in our professional practice, our research activities, and education programs be chronicled and disseminated by a journal of international repute. Neurological surgeons in Africa therefore warmly welcome the launching of WORLD NEUROSURGERY. The sophistication in the clinical practice of neurological surgery and the depth of research in the subject will naturally vary from place to place on the planet. It is our hope, nevertheless, that the new Journal will assay to accommodate these differences and eke out a balance in its coverage to make it truly worldwide in its appeal, service, and scope. We are delighted that the high quality of the publication is already guaranteed as its production has been put in the hands, and under the eagle eyes, of an experienced and seasoned editorial staff. We wish the Journal success in its laudable venture. 1878-8750/$ - see front matter © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2010.02.031
Khalaf Al Moutaery, M.D. Major General/Professor Director, Central Region, Military Hospitals, Saudi Arabia Editor-in-Chief, Pan Arab Journal of Neurosurgery Continental Vice-President (Africa-Middle East), World Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Riyadh Military Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
T
he existence of neurosurgical practice may have existed in ancient times, but it is commonly accepted that modern surgery started in the late 19th century, when in November 1885, a young farmer was operated at Regents Park Hospital, London, for a tumor of the right hemisphere. Advances in neurosurgical practice have had a tremendous impact in the vast majority of diseases affecting the nervous system, and neurosurgical practice has progressed from the early days of trephination to modern-day procedures such as robotic surgery and knifeless stereotactic radiosurgery. The first issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery was published in January 1944 under the direction of its first Editor, neuropathologist Louise Eisenhardt, M.D. The journal was originally distributed six
216
www.SCIENCEDIRECT.com
times per year. Through the years, many journals and periodicals have evolved, covering a vast array of neurosurgical practice. At present, there are many journals of neurosurgical interest that are in the forefront of publication of research articles, review articles, and topics of neurosurgical interest. The launching of WORLD NEUROSURGERY—an official journal of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS)—is aimed to create a principal international information conduit for establishing state-of-the-art neurosurgical practice through innovative and scholastic publications. As an official organ of the WFNS it commands an immense wealth of experts and leaders of neurosurgical practice from across the globe, representing an insurmountable pool of learned societies and advanced centers of neurosurgical research and education. The field of neurosurgery is one of the most sophisticated surgical specialties and encompasses advanced surgical and imaging technology and new research in molecular neurosurgery and gene therapy. Many factors continue to influence the future of neurosurgery, among them the general growth of the world population with an increasing number of elderly, and the politicaleconomical development that differs markedly from region to region. The impact of the biological and molecular revolution, which has just begun, will make inroads into the newer concepts of pathologies and will surely influence neurosurgical practice radically to conservative treatment in the future. The planners of neurosurgical organization will take cognizance of these and additional factors into consideration early enough to give neurosurgery and neurosurgeons a chance to adapt to the future. WORLD NEUROSURGERY is timely adept to harness the evolving new strategies and research developments and to disseminate information to present and future generations of neurosurgical practice. The Journal is published monthly to reflect on challenging issues confronting neurosurgical practice in the context of scientific, clinical, socioeconomic, and educational issues of the contemporary world. I am very resolute in my judgment that WORLD NEUROSURGERY will serve not only the neurosurgical practice to its finest pinnacles of excellence, but the scientific community at large, in its endeavor for scholastic and educational purposes. 1878-8750/$ - see front matter © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2010.02.040
Hildo Azevedo-Filho, M.D., Ph.D., M.Sc. Secretary, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Professor and Chairman of Neurological Surgery Hospital da Restauração, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
73 [4]: 216-228, APRIL 2010 WORLD NEUROSURGERY
INAUGURAL ISSUE COMMENTARIES
T
o be invited to write one of the editorials of the first issue of WORLD NEUROSURGERY represents a great honor and satisfaction for me.
For the sake of the recording of historical facts, I would like to acknowledge that I witnessed the birth of this tremendous endeavor and enterprise. In November 2007, when Professor Peter Black was elected to be President for the term 2009 –2013, he started to envisage that the Federation needed a journal that could play a major role in the world. At the beginning, his plans were somehow modest, although we were aware that the title the WFNS already had, WORLD NEUROSURGERY, published only on an electronic version was by all means impressive, because it reflected our commitment to the neurosurgical practice in the world. Dr. Black, then President-Elect, began to develop the concept that our Federation had to have a true international journal that could represent the needs, aims, and eventually, differences of the 114 national, regional, and continental societies that compose the WFNS, and incorporated the idea that WORLD NEUROSURGERY should be completely reshaped to achieve these goals. A trip to New York, together with Dr. Apuzzo, and a meeting with the leadership at Elsevier assured him that this achievement was achievable. Destiny favorably conspired to the fulfillment of this deed. Michael Apuzzo was leaving Neurosurgery. Elsevier was discontinuing a sister neurosurgical journal and decided to embark on a truly international publication, but only after having the assurance that Dr. Peter Black, next president of the WFNS, would lead and sponsor the idea. Then, on August 1, 2009, the formal contract was signed, having Drs. Brotchi and Black as WFNS representatives. Why, someone might ask, with so many related titles should a new journal be launched? Moreover, it could be added, is this appropriate in a reality of the present world economic constraint? We cannot disagree more with these assumptions. WORLD NEUROSURGERY is being born to fill a profound gap and with a completely different mission, action, and interaction. WORLD NEUROSURGERY, under the umbrella of the WFNS, will represent the sentiment of responsibility that the Federation devotes to the reality of the neurosurgery practiced in the six continents. The internationalism of the new title is immediately demonstrated by reading the names of its Editorial Board. The needs of neurosurgeons working in less privileged areas of the world certainly shall have a strong voice on its pages— unlike what is mostly seen in the several national societies journals. Publications of neurosurgical experience coming from remote parts of the world are not always influential enough to editorial boards of high technologically motivated publishers, although valuable information shall find a place to be propagated. Apart from that, we cannot forget that we neurosurgeons live in a world full of cultural, social, political, and religious disagreements and WORLD NEUROSURGERY will be one of the best forums to discuss these subjects and to try to pacifically solve these issues, under a high level of companionship and professionalism. Therefore, according to my knowledge, this kind of forum was lacking in the neurosurgical literature. Last but not least, the presence of Dr. Michael Apuzzo, as Editor-in-Chief, is the guarantee of perfectionism, commitment,
WORLD NEUROSURGERY 73 [4]: 216-228, APRIL 2010
and equipoise in all activities, apart from his full dedication to comply with the missions assigned to WORLD NEUROSURGERY. I am delighted to participate on this surely successful project and I am honored to take part on its Editorial Board. 1878-8750/$ - see front matter © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2010.02.037
Edward C. Benzel, M.D. Professor of Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery Co-Director, Spine Surgery Fellowship Program, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
W
ORLD NEUROSURGERY, the brand new communication organ for the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, is a timely and much needed addition to the group of journals and periodicals of the global neurosurgical literature. In this, its inaugural issue, WORLD NEUROSURGERY’s debut is most certainly noteworthy. This “coming out party” has been eagerly anticipated. WORLD NEUROSURGERY serves a slightly different constituency than all other existing journals. It, indeed, serves the “world of neurosurgery.” The objectives of WORLD NEUROSURGERY are, therefore, obligatorily different from those of the Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, the British Journal of Neurosurgery, Acta Neurochirurgica, etc. In serving the “world,” strategies for education, information dissemination, and communication, indeed, must be altered. Hence, its mission and mission statement are reflective of the global nature if its charge.
MISSION STATEMENT OF WORLD NEUROSURGERY
y To create a principle international information conduit for establishing modernity of neurosurgical practice for the global community through contemporary and innovative journalistic communication technologies and channels
y To serve as a forum for scientific, clinical, educational, social, cultural, economic, and political ideas and issues for global neurosurgery
y To act as a primary intellectual catalyst for the field y To enhance and move toward complete global communication related to all aspects of current and future neurosurgical practice, research, and progress
WORLD NEUROSURGERY is the first journal sponsored by an international neurosurgical society. It is also the first journal to focus on socioeconomic, political, medical, neurosurgical, and educational issues that pertain to ALL neurosurgeons worldwide. Hence, it will be the first to serve the world of neurosurgery— which, by the way, is becoming smaller and smaller at an astonishing rate.
www.WORLDNEUROSURGERY.org
217
Adelola Adeloye, M.B., M.S., F.R.C.S., F.R.C.P., F.A.C.S. (Hon.) Honorary President, World Federation of Neurological Societies Department of Surgery, University of Ibadan College of Medicine, Ibadan, Nigeria
D
uring the past 50 years and more, our specialty of neurological surgery has evolved into a global discipline through the efforts of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS). It is appropriate that events in our professional practice, our research activities, and education programs be chronicled and disseminated by a journal of international repute. Neurological surgeons in Africa therefore warmly welcome the launching of WORLD NEUROSURGERY. The sophistication in the clinical practice of neurological surgery and the depth of research in the subject will naturally vary from place to place on the planet. It is our hope, nevertheless, that the new Journal will assay to accommodate these differences and eke out a balance in its coverage to make it truly worldwide in its appeal, service, and scope. We are delighted that the high quality of the publication is already guaranteed as its production has been put in the hands, and under the eagle eyes, of an experienced and seasoned editorial staff. We wish the Journal success in its laudable venture. 1878-8750/$ - see front matter © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2010.02.031
Khalaf Al Moutaery, M.D. Major General/Professor Director, Central Region, Military Hospitals, Saudi Arabia Editor-in-Chief, Pan Arab Journal of Neurosurgery Continental Vice-President (Africa-Middle East), World Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Riyadh Military Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
T
he existence of neurosurgical practice may have existed in ancient times, but it is commonly accepted that modern surgery started in the late 19th century, when in November 1885, a young farmer was operated at Regents Park Hospital, London, for a tumor of the right hemisphere. Advances in neurosurgical practice have had a tremendous impact in the vast majority of diseases affecting the nervous system, and neurosurgical practice has progressed from the early days of trephination to modern-day procedures such as robotic surgery and knifeless stereotactic radiosurgery. The first issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery was published in January 1944 under the direction of its first Editor, neuropathologist Louise Eisenhardt, M.D. The journal was originally distributed six
216
www.SCIENCEDIRECT.com
times per year. Through the years, many journals and periodicals have evolved, covering a vast array of neurosurgical practice. At present, there are many journals of neurosurgical interest that are in the forefront of publication of research articles, review articles, and topics of neurosurgical interest. The launching of WORLD NEUROSURGERY—an official journal of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS)—is aimed to create a principal international information conduit for establishing state-of-the-art neurosurgical practice through innovative and scholastic publications. As an official organ of the WFNS it commands an immense wealth of experts and leaders of neurosurgical practice from across the globe, representing an insurmountable pool of learned societies and advanced centers of neurosurgical research and education. The field of neurosurgery is one of the most sophisticated surgical specialties and encompasses advanced surgical and imaging technology and new research in molecular neurosurgery and gene therapy. Many factors continue to influence the future of neurosurgery, among them the general growth of the world population with an increasing number of elderly, and the politicaleconomical development that differs markedly from region to region. The impact of the biological and molecular revolution, which has just begun, will make inroads into the newer concepts of pathologies and will surely influence neurosurgical practice radically to conservative treatment in the future. The planners of neurosurgical organization will take cognizance of these and additional factors into consideration early enough to give neurosurgery and neurosurgeons a chance to adapt to the future. WORLD NEUROSURGERY is timely adept to harness the evolving new strategies and research developments and to disseminate information to present and future generations of neurosurgical practice. The Journal is published monthly to reflect on challenging issues confronting neurosurgical practice in the context of scientific, clinical, socioeconomic, and educational issues of the contemporary world. I am very resolute in my judgment that WORLD NEUROSURGERY will serve not only the neurosurgical practice to its finest pinnacles of excellence, but the scientific community at large, in its endeavor for scholastic and educational purposes. 1878-8750/$ - see front matter © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2010.02.040
Hildo Azevedo-Filho, M.D., Ph.D., M.Sc. Secretary, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Professor and Chairman of Neurological Surgery Hospital da Restauração, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
73 [4]: 216-228, APRIL 2010 WORLD NEUROSURGERY
INAUGURAL ISSUE COMMENTARIES
T
o be invited to write one of the editorials of the first issue of WORLD NEUROSURGERY represents a great honor and satisfaction for me.
For the sake of the recording of historical facts, I would like to acknowledge that I witnessed the birth of this tremendous endeavor and enterprise. In November 2007, when Professor Peter Black was elected to be President for the term 2009 –2013, he started to envisage that the Federation needed a journal that could play a major role in the world. At the beginning, his plans were somehow modest, although we were aware that the title the WFNS already had, WORLD NEUROSURGERY, published only on an electronic version was by all means impressive, because it reflected our commitment to the neurosurgical practice in the world. Dr. Black, then President-Elect, began to develop the concept that our Federation had to have a true international journal that could represent the needs, aims, and eventually, differences of the 114 national, regional, and continental societies that compose the WFNS, and incorporated the idea that WORLD NEUROSURGERY should be completely reshaped to achieve these goals. A trip to New York, together with Dr. Apuzzo, and a meeting with the leadership at Elsevier assured him that this achievement was achievable. Destiny favorably conspired to the fulfillment of this deed. Michael Apuzzo was leaving Neurosurgery. Elsevier was discontinuing a sister neurosurgical journal and decided to embark on a truly international publication, but only after having the assurance that Dr. Peter Black, next president of the WFNS, would lead and sponsor the idea. Then, on August 1, 2009, the formal contract was signed, having Drs. Brotchi and Black as WFNS representatives. Why, someone might ask, with so many related titles should a new journal be launched? Moreover, it could be added, is this appropriate in a reality of the present world economic constraint? We cannot disagree more with these assumptions. WORLD NEUROSURGERY is being born to fill a profound gap and with a completely different mission, action, and interaction. WORLD NEUROSURGERY, under the umbrella of the WFNS, will represent the sentiment of responsibility that the Federation devotes to the reality of the neurosurgery practiced in the six continents. The internationalism of the new title is immediately demonstrated by reading the names of its Editorial Board. The needs of neurosurgeons working in less privileged areas of the world certainly shall have a strong voice on its pages— unlike what is mostly seen in the several national societies journals. Publications of neurosurgical experience coming from remote parts of the world are not always influential enough to editorial boards of high technologically motivated publishers, although valuable information shall find a place to be propagated. Apart from that, we cannot forget that we neurosurgeons live in a world full of cultural, social, political, and religious disagreements and WORLD NEUROSURGERY will be one of the best forums to discuss these subjects and to try to pacifically solve these issues, under a high level of companionship and professionalism. Therefore, according to my knowledge, this kind of forum was lacking in the neurosurgical literature. Last but not least, the presence of Dr. Michael Apuzzo, as Editor-in-Chief, is the guarantee of perfectionism, commitment,
WORLD NEUROSURGERY 73 [4]: 216-228, APRIL 2010
and equipoise in all activities, apart from his full dedication to comply with the missions assigned to WORLD NEUROSURGERY. I am delighted to participate on this surely successful project and I am honored to take part on its Editorial Board. 1878-8750/$ - see front matter © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2010.02.037
Edward C. Benzel, M.D. Professor of Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery Co-Director, Spine Surgery Fellowship Program, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
W
ORLD NEUROSURGERY, the brand new communication organ for the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, is a timely and much needed addition to the group of journals and periodicals of the global neurosurgical literature. In this, its inaugural issue, WORLD NEUROSURGERY’s debut is most certainly noteworthy. This “coming out party” has been eagerly anticipated. WORLD NEUROSURGERY serves a slightly different constituency than all other existing journals. It, indeed, serves the “world of neurosurgery.” The objectives of WORLD NEUROSURGERY are, therefore, obligatorily different from those of the Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, the British Journal of Neurosurgery, Acta Neurochirurgica, etc. In serving the “world,” strategies for education, information dissemination, and communication, indeed, must be altered. Hence, its mission and mission statement are reflective of the global nature if its charge.
MISSION STATEMENT OF WORLD NEUROSURGERY
y To create a principle international information conduit for establishing modernity of neurosurgical practice for the global community through contemporary and innovative journalistic communication technologies and channels
y To serve as a forum for scientific, clinical, educational, social, cultural, economic, and political ideas and issues for global neurosurgery
y To act as a primary intellectual catalyst for the field y To enhance and move toward complete global communication related to all aspects of current and future neurosurgical practice, research, and progress
WORLD NEUROSURGERY is the first journal sponsored by an international neurosurgical society. It is also the first journal to focus on socioeconomic, political, medical, neurosurgical, and educational issues that pertain to ALL neurosurgeons worldwide. Hence, it will be the first to serve the world of neurosurgery— which, by the way, is becoming smaller and smaller at an astonishing rate.
www.WORLDNEUROSURGERY.org
217