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Background People with gliomas need specialized neurosurgical, neuro-oncological, psycho-oncological, and neuropsychological care. The role of language and cognitive recovery and rehabilitation in patients' well-being and resumption of work is crucial, but there are no clear guidelines for the ideal timing and character of assessments and interventions. The goal of the present work was to describe representative (neuro)psychological practices implemented after brain surgery in Europe. Methods An online survey was addressed to professionals working with individuals after brain surgery. We inquired about the assessments and interventions and the involvement of caregivers. Additionally, we asked about recommendations for an ideal assessment and intervention plan. Results Thirty-eight European centers completed the survey. Thirty of them offered at least one postsurgical (neuro)psychological assessment, mainly for language and cognition, especially during the early recovery stage and at long term. Twenty-eight of the participating centers offered postsurgical therapies. Patients who stand the highest chances of being included in evaluation and therapy postsurgically are those who underwent awake brain surgery, harbored a low-grade glioma, or showed poor recovery. Nearly half of the respondents offer support programs to caregivers, and all teams recommend them. Treatments differed between those offered to individuals with low-grade glioma vs those with high-grade glioma. The figure of caregiver is not yet fully recognized in the recovery phase. Conclusion We stress the need for more complete rehabilitation plans, including the emotional and health-related aspects of recovery. In respondents' opinions, assessment and rehabilitation plans should also be individually tailored and goal-directed (eg, professional reinsertion). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has placed tremendous strain on the national health care systems throughout Europe. As a result, there has been a significant influence on residents' education. We surveyed European neurosurgery residents to estimate the magnitude of the pandemic's impact on neurosurgical training. An anonymous, voluntary, 44-question, web-based survey was administered to European neurosurgical residents from November 2, 2020, to January 15, 2021, by e-mail invitation. Close-ended, multiple-choice questions were used to examine the perspectives of neurosurgical trainees of different training programs in Europe regarding the pandemic's impact on education, as well as to evaluate the online webinars as a sufficient alternative educational tool, and their future role. The total number of participants was 134 from 22 European countries. Nearly 88.8 % of respondents reported that the pandemic had a negative influence on their education. A statically significant decrease in surgical exposure, outpatient clinic involvement, and working hours was observed (P < 0.05). Webinars, although widely disseminated, were not considered as a sufficient training alternative. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had a significant impact on neurosurgical training. During the last year, with the outbreak of the pandemic, formal training education was heavily compromised. Online webinars do not seem to be a sufficient alternative, and some trainees estimate that a whole year of training has been compromised. Our current data have to be cautiously considered for possibly reorganizing the whole training experience. The pandemic may well function as a stimulus for optimizing neurosurgical training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Differences in the postgraduate training programs of neurosurgical residents are suspected throughout Europe. The influence of working hour restrictions by the European Working Time Directive (WTD) 2003/88/EC on the number of surgical procedures remains unclear. We designed a survey to collect information on the number of surgical procedures, performed by European neurosurgical trainees during residency. This article reports preliminary data. Methods: An electronic survey was distributed among the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) member countries by national delegates of the training committee, as well as by members of the Young Neurosurgeons' committee. The EANS mailing list of individual members was also used for distribution. All responses received between 04/2018 and 12/2018 were considered. Results: From n = 180 responses received, 42 were omitted as responders were still in residency and for 58 relevant information was missing. The final sample was n = 80, with a mean responder's age of 43.0 years (SD 8.6) and 88.8% being male. Responses came from 16 European countries; board certification was received between the years of 1976–2018. The numbers of surgical procedures performed independently were 511 (mean, 95% confidence interval (CI) 413–610), supervised were 514 (95%CI 360–668) and assisted were 752 (95%CI 485–1019) throughout residency. More detailed numbers for specific procedure types are reported in the article. Independently performed cranial procedures outnumbered spinal procedures (p < 0.006), and adult procedures outnumbered pediatric procedures (p < 0.001). There was a strong decrease in caseload between 1976 and 2018, with trainees performing on average 65 cases less throughout residency for each calendar year increase in board certification (95% CI − 116 to − 15, p = 0.012). Trainees graduating residency before introduction of the European WTD 2003/88/EC participated in more procedures than those graduating afterwards (mean 2797 vs. 1418, p = 0.005). Conclusions: The preliminary analysis of the first 80 responses now provides a first reference frame for caseload that can be used by current and future European residents to critically compare their own operative numbers to. There was a strong decline in surgical cases over time, and trainees graduating after introduction of the European WTD 2003/88/EC had less surgical exposure. The survey remains open, and we invite further European neurosurgeons to provide their data in order to get even more robust estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent advancements in neurosurgery have transformed patient care through minimally invasive procedures and led to a notable surge in endovascular treatments. However, the regulatory landscape governing these procedures across European countries varies, impacting treatment access and collaboration. This paper discusses the results of a survey on European legislation regarding endovascular neurosurgery, exploring current practices and speculating on the field's future., Methods: An e-mail survey was distributed to 41 European countries, targeting European member societies within the EANS. Thirty-seven completed questionnaires were returned, providing insights into neuroendovascular treatment legislation and restrictions., Results: Legislation and certification varied across the surveyed countries, with only two countries prohibiting endovascular neurosurgery. Eight countries required specific fellowship programs. Resistance from radiologists was noted in many countries., Conclusions: Despite growing support for neurosurgeons performing endovascular treatments in Europe, challenges persist. Specialized care, improved access, and a broadening spectrum of treatable conditions contribute to the argument for involvement of neurosurgeons.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) affect a significant percentage of the neurosurgical workforce. The aim of the current questionnaire-based study was to examine the prevalence of WMSDs amongst neurosurgeons, identify risk factors, and study the views of neurosurgeons regarding ergonomics., Methods: From June to August 2020, members of the "European Association of Neurosurgical Societies," the "Neurosurgery Research Listserv," and the "Latin American Federation of Neurosurgical Societies" were asked to complete an electronic questionnaire on the topics of WMSDs and ergonomics., Results: A total of 409 neurosurgeons responded to the survey, with a 4.7 male to female ratio. Most of the surgeons worked in Europe (76.9%) in academic public hospitals. The vast majority of the participants (87.9%) had experienced WMSDs, mainly affecting the shoulder, neck, and back muscles. The most common operations performed by the participants were "Craniotomy for convexity/intrinsic tumors" (24.1%) and "Open lumbar basic spine" (24.1%). Neurosurgeons agreed that ergonomics is an underexposed area in the neurosurgical field (84.8%) and that more resources should be spend (87.3%) and training curricula changes should be made (78.3%) in order to alleviate the burden of WMSDs on neurosurgeons. Univariate analysis did not reveal any associations between the development of WMSDs and age, gender, tenure, average duration of operation, operating time per week, type of operation, and surgical approach., Conclusions: The problem of WMSDs ought to be more closely addressed and managed by the neurosurgical community. More studies ought to be designed to investigate specific ergonomic parameters in order to formulate practice recommendations.