Speakers

Historical Overview on the Anatomy of cranial nerves and Personal Experience with Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery
1110 10:00-10:10
AASNS / AANS Joint Session "Spetzler Symposium"/305
Shigeaki Kobayashi, MD, PhD Stroke and Brain Center Aizawa Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan Tatsuo Sakai, MD, PhD Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Graduate School of Medicine Department of History, Faculty of Medicine Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan Abstract: The study of human anatomy began in ancient Greece. Hippocrates described aspects of human anatomy based on observations of injured people. In Roman times, Galen produced influential anatomy textbooks based on animal dissections, which were transmitted both to Islamic countries and Europe through the Middle Ages and Renaissance. In the 16th century, Vesalius in Padua authored the famous anatomy book "Fabrica," which became widely disseminated throughout Europe. It was during this period that modern surgery began. Surgical anatomy studies were formalized in the 18th century by Flemish surgeon J. Palfijn, followed by a number of surgeon-anatomists. Microneurosurgical techniques emerged in the mid-20th century, rapidly developing and spreading worldwide, alongside the significant development of microneurosurgical anatomy, exemplified by contributions, including "Rhoton's Cranial Anatomy and Surgical Approaches," published in 2003. The anatomy of cranial nerves was first described by Galen in his book "On the Anatomy of Nerves," listing 7 pairs of cranial nerves exiting the cranium bilaterally through specific openings. Vesalius in the 16th century described the same number of pairs of cranial nerves in his book "Fabrica" (1543), distinctly illustrating the trochlear and abducens nerves. His contribution was significant in showing the origin and course of the nerves through the cranial apertures. Thomas Willis of Oxford more clearly illustrated the cranial nerves in his famous textbook "Cerebri Anatome" (1664), listing 9 pairs of cranial nerves. In 1778, German anatomist S. Soemmerring established the numbering system for the 12 cranial nerves used today. In 1895, "Nomina Anatomica" was published, unifying the nomenclature among anatomists.

Dr. Kenichiro Sugita's Human Strength and Global Contribution to the Development of Neurosurgery
1107 16:40-17:00
Special Lecture/305
Shigeaki Kobayashi, MD Stroke and Brain Center, Aizawa Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan Abstract: This year marks the 30th anniversary of the passing of the late Prof. Kenichiro Sugita. In the minds of many neurosurgeons, he remains vividly present, though to younger colleagues, his name may sound distant. The modern history of neurosurgery in most Asian countries is relatively new compared to some other fields of medicine, with much of the neurosurgical science and practice introduced from Western countries in the 20th century. In Japan, the first neurosurgical procedure is said to have been performed during the Seinan Civil War in 1877 on a soldier with a head injury, but most advanced neurosurgical procedures and instruments were introduced after World War II. Dr. Kenichiro Sugita studied in the West early in his career, but then began developing his own neurosurgical OR systems and instruments, with unique and innovative ideas to improve neurosurgical operations and outcomes. Dr. Sugita was born in Nagoya in 1932. He graduated from Nagoya University and joined the Surgical Department after graduation. During his residency, he studied stereotactic surgery under Prof. T. Riechert at Freiburg University in Germany for three years. He took the position of Professor of Neurosurgery at Shinshu University in 1987, and after 10 years, he moved to his alma mater department, where he stayed until his passing from cancer at the young age of 61. This presentation is about the life of Dr. Sugita, who developed neurosurgical practice in his own way and ideas, highlighting his significant global contributions to the development of microneurosurgery. An attempt is made to explore Dr. Kenichiro Sugita’s life as a neurosurgeon, focusing on his humanism and creative potential, herein called “Human Power” (HP), depicting him from four different perspectives. Details for each aspect will be elucidated: HP I: Innovative ideas; unique ideas with futuristic concepts. HP II: Action; energy and persuasive ability. HP III: Networking with friends, colleagues, and the next generation. HP IV: Multiple hobbies; relaxation and fostering friendships.