Essentials of Neurosurgical Procedures and Operations Published by Korean Neurosurgical Society.

On October of 2015, we were publishing the textbook about the procedures and surgeries performed in a neurosurgery department for educational purposes to assist young neurosurgeons and residents undergoing training in neurosurgery at home and abroad (Fig. 1). The topics covered in this textbook include both critical procedures and fundamental surgeries performed in neurosurgery. They include the less-invasive procedures as well as highly complex surgical operations that can increase competitiveness in neurosurgery. New topics are introduced as well that have not yet found their way into neurosurgery practice. The 36 chapters in this book include discussions of 3 basic procedures, 21 cranial procedures and operations, and 12 spinal and peripheral procedures and operations. The material is presented based on the principal that we adhere to the basics, even if the level of difficulty differs from one procedure to another. The authors include associate professors actively conducting research in their neurosurgery specialty at a university hospital. Each author wrote 2 chapters, but if necessary, another author was recommended by the coauthors to contribute to a particular chapter. In all, 35 young, ambitious authors participated in writing the 36 chapters. To illustrate and support the concepts presented in each chapter, medical drawings and illustrations are included. Tables and call-out boxes are also used to provide emphasis where needed. All illustrations were produced by a professional medical illustrator, and each author reviewed the illustrations and suggested modifications, which were then made. To maintain objectivity and to correct manuscript errors, we had regular editorial meetings. After all the writing and editing was completed, we had a professional language agency in the United States review the book to correct any English language errors. However, because this is the first English textbook issued by the Korean Neurosurgical Society, there will likely be some points that will be missing, and we believe, therefore, that further revision will be necessary in a future edition.

Fig. 1

A cover of Essentials of Neurosurgical Procedures and Operations published by Korean Neurosurgical Society.

The World Federation of Neurological Societies is an academy of the world's neurosurgeons and this academy's goals include educating neurosurgeons in developing countries and promoting friendship among other nations' doctors1). One thing stands out : it seems to me that people's minds share common properties, despite differences in nationality, race, language, and conditions2). So, I hope that this book provides educational guidelines for young neurosurgeons in Korea as well as those all over the world, especially in developing countries, and we expect that this textbook will contribute to the next level of advanced neurosurgical treatment and surgery.