Education and Courses
The Division of Neurosurgery has a close relationship with the Department of Neurosurgery, Cambridge University Hospital NHS Trust. Postgraduate education and training, both clinical and academic, is a key part of the departments work.
British Neurosurgical Trainee Course.
This course covers the full spectrum of the neurosurgical curriculum with a focus on material covered poorly in the standard neurosurgical texts. It runs on a 6-monthly cycle over 5 courses including Neuro-oncology and Skull Base, Spine and Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Neurovascular Surgery and the Basic Sciences related to Neurosurgery. We have been running the course successfully for over 7 years and have built up an excellent faculty from around the country.
Cambridge Lectures in Neurosurgical Anatomy
Excellent knowledge of three-dimensional surgical anatomy is fundamental for safe operating. This is especially true for neurosurgery where the surgical access routes are narrow, the brain and surrounding structures cannot be moved, and the consequences of a mistake are disastrous. The surgeon just must know what is behind the corner.
The process of understanding of surgical anatomy is a never complete. Neurosurgeons acquire most of their experience by observing and conducting operations. Cadaveric dissections are an excellent supplement. However, they are very expensive and not widely available.
In 2005 a weekend gathering of enthusiasts of anatomically-based established in Cambridge. As it consists of discussions and lectures, mostly based on three-dimensional (3D) projections of anatomical dissection of and intra-operative situations, it was named Cambridge Lectures in Neurosurgical Anatomy. It is aimed at neurosurgical trainees and qualified neurosurgeons, but medical students with interest in neurosciences have found it educational and inspirational. The continuation of the Lectures for over 10 years speaks for itself.
The Southeast Asia Edition of the Cambridge Lectures in Neurosurgical Anatomy came as a response to requests from many neurosurgeons in the region. It is recognised as by the Neurosurgical Anatomy Committeeof the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS). The course website is available here: https://clna.org.uk.
