Report of residents from Irkutsk on internship in the Federal Neurosurgical Center (Novosibirsk).
Siberian Association of Neurosurgeons “SibNeuro” supports young neurosurgeons and helps organizing free internships. We present a report of residents from Irkutsk State Academy of Post-graduate Education, Ekaterina Pyatajkina and Ekaterina Balkhanova about their 3-months internship in the Federal Neurosurgical Center (Novosibirsk).
“We have visited functional, neurovascular and Neurooncological divisions of the Center during 3 months period.
Functional division is one of the unique divisions for our country where specialists treat Parkinson’s disease, spastic syndromes, medically resistant forms of epilepsy, pain syndromes, peripheral nerves and plexus traumas.
We had a chance to see deep brain stimulation (DBS) applied in treatment of Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).
“Easier, clearer, more quickly, containing normal anatomy”. Talking about neuro oncological division it’s impossible not to remember these words of Juha Hernesniemi.Sergey V.Chernov and Anton V.Kalinovskiy impressed us by their unbelievable surgical techniques from the first days of staying in this division. Very difficult surgical procedures are performed only with the help of practically 2 instruments: suction unit tube and bipolar forceps. The atmosphere in the OR is very calm and welcoming; each member of surgical team knows his/her functions and is characterized by high professionalism. Doctors of this division have completely changed our point of view to neurosurgery. Besides, when a surgeon stands during the surgical procedure, this pose allows him working with a microscope and changing the angle of view very quickly and application of neurophysiological monitoring during the surgical procedure allows achieving brilliant results.
From March 28 till April 30 we stayed in neuro vascular division of the Federal Neurosurgical Center headed by a very talented neurosurgeon, Andrey V.Dubovoy. Neurosnavigation, monitoring, ultrasound Doppler sonography are used for all types of surgical procedures performed in the division. Experienced doctors use up-to-date microsurgical equipment that allows decreasing the level of surgical aggression, increasing general safety and work efficiency. Dr.Dubovoy managed to unite experienced professionals that obtain profound knowledge, perform even the most difficult operations.
Brain revascularization methods, different types of anastomosis (extra-intra cranial, intra-intracranial) for balancing of ischemic disorders are actively developed in the neurovascular division. We were lucky to watch several operations when a patient could have significant neurological deficit without anastomosis but skillful doctors didn’t allow that to happen.
During our internship in neurovascular division we have found out a lot in terms of diagnostics and surgical treatment of vascular brain malformations.
Particular attention in the Center is paid to internship of residents and young neurosurgeons. There is a microsurgical laboratory in the Center equipped with microscopes where all interested specialists can hone their skills either on natural or on artificial materials. Besides, there were 2 drilling courses in the Center that included lectures of power equipment in neurosurgery and hone of skills in usage of craniotomies and different types of burrs for approaches on spine and skull. Each Saturday specialists of the Center gave lectures on different branches of neurosurgery.
The Federal Neurosurgical Center impresses with wonderful conditions either for patients or for the staff, the highest technologies and first class specialists.
We would like to express our particular gratitude to Dzhamil A.Rzaev for such an opportunity to stay in the Center and learn, and also to all the specialists of the Center for wonderful attitude to us, kindness and generosity”.