Bright future for neurosurgeons?

[H_Caulfield]

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As a medical student I'm currently thinking that I'm most interested in neurosurgery. I can't imagine that anyone would think otherwise, and am starting to assume (maybe cynically?) that the 'lifestyle' issue really must play the largest role in a lot of students' residency decisions. It's ironic, then, that I'm starting to worry whether there'll be enough work for neurosurgeons in the future, let alone too much.

Everything I read or hear lately about neuro is in regard to the new minimally-invasive techniques and nostril robots. I agree that medicine has really headed in a great direction if all problems are eventually fixed with little or no invasive procedures. But...I do want to operate in the traditional sense, nonetheless. What does everyone think? Will neurosurgeons twenty years from now still have appreciable opportunity to open the skull or cut around vertebrae? More power to the field, if not; but if necessary I do think I'll go against my genuine interests and pursue a specialty that will allow me to cut.

 

[Blake]

Not an expert, but I think conventional surgeries are going to stay there for lots of years to come, and I wouldn't use it as a deterrent to a neurosurgery career. We might see changes in fields like oncology that might make tumor resections completely obsolete, but I don't think we're going to see this in the next 40 years or so (uneducated guess, but some residents I've spoke with seemed to share my opinion). Besides, who's going to administrate some radical nanotechnology/virus/whatever to the most delicate parts of the CNS ? Probably a neurosurgeon.

I also think that fields such as cerebrovascular, spine and trauma surgery are ''always'' going to be there for neurosurgeons (even with the turf wars with radiologists and orthopods). One could also argue that functional and epilepsy surgery aren't going anywhere soon, seeing as there's still a lot to discover.

 

[iwantneurosurg]

Not an expert, but I think conventional surgeries are going to stay there for lots of years to come, and I wouldn't use it as a deterrent to a neurosurgery career. We might see changes in fields like oncology that might make tumor resections completely obsolete, but I don't think we're going to see this in the next 40 years or so (uneducated guess, but some residents I've spoke with seemed to share my opinion). Besides, who's going to be administrating some radical nanotechnology/virus/whatever to the most delicate parts of the CNS ? Probably a neurosurgeon.

I also think that fields such as cerebrovascular, spine and trauma surgery are ''always'' going to be there for neurosurgeons (even with the turf wars with radiologists and orthopods). One could also argue that functional and epilepsy surgery aren't going anywhere soon, seeing as there's still a lot to discover.

agreed. the CT surgeons i talk to however say to do ortho tho, and specialize in spine if u like the vertebrae. broken bones are broken bones. you can't give them medicine to reset them. maybe pills to strengthen, but a joint replacement, decompression, etc. are orthopedic.

and as far as operating in the brain, yes i think in twenty years there'll be less and less reason to cut. but i'm quite confident neurosurgeons are going to be the ones most skilled in this area. from a patient's point of view, do u want something in your brain fixed by a radiologist or neurosurgeon? i'd go neuro.

but as far as traditional cutting with wide incisions and getting in there - that's largely ortho, and will continue to be ortho, unless a radiologist can use radiation to replace a joint.

so if u love the brain, do academic neurosurgery. if u like cutting, maybe ortho would be better. after all, private practice neurosurgeons do mostly spine anyway.

 

[Megalin]

Not an expert, but I think conventional surgeries are going to stay there for lots of years to come, and I wouldn't use it as a deterrent to a neurosurgery career.

Agreed - and for some procedures, some minimally invasive techniques are actually thought to be the worse decision.

I also think that fields such as cerebrovascular, spine and trauma surgery are ''always'' going to be there for neurosurgeons (even with the turf wars with radiologists and orthopods). One could also argue that functional and epilepsy surgery aren't going anywhere soon, seeing as there's still a lot to discover.

Agreed again.

 

[N-Surge]

Approach some neurosurgeons where you are at. Take some time (even this Summer, what's left of it) to follow them during their hours in the clinic, ICU, ER, and even maybe a specialty clinic like a spine clinic. If not now try to do this in the future, before M3. Learn from them. I honestly don't think any of us here can tell you via a thread what you are potentially getting yourself into. I don't care if one of us in the best novelist in the world. Words mean little. The experience itself is worth a million plus some.

I am currently doing this and it is helping me understand the field much better. Neurosurgery sounded interesting to me. And it still does. I am very excited about this multifaceted field being at the top of my short list. However, I only had a superficial view regarding what I would be getting into.

2 of the 3 neurosurg docs I have met with over the last 6 days brought up interventional neuroradiology. When bringing the subject up with the other doc he was really excited to discuss this field. He also strongly suggested going the neurosurg route. It is sounding to me like this specialty of neurosurgery (which it is) does have a potentially bright future. Something to carefully consider... A friend of mine back home, who is in the middle of his neurosurgry residency, had also mentioned this field to me as well. Notice the trend here? 🙂

As far as cutting goes, I can't imagine a nose bot fully resecting a deep brain glioma at the present time (but what do I know, lol). Then again, what is the difference between using a bot or a scalpel when it comes to cutting? Both are between you and the patient. Sure, it will "feel" different. Whatever it takes to create a safe environment for the patient and provide the highest level of a positive outcome is what matters, imho.