A History of Neurosurgery in Canada

Abstract

Canada existed for more than half a century before there were glimmerings of modern neurosurgical activity. Neurosurgery had advanced significantly in Europe and the United States prior to its being brought to Toronto and Montreal from American centers. The pioneers responsible for the rapid evolution in practice, teaching and research are described. The interplay of scientific, professional, demographic and economic forces with general historical trends has produced dramatic changes in the way that neurosurgery is now practiced.

Recent Trends in Neurosurgery Career Outcomes in Canada

“…In a response to the initial changes in ABNS board eligibility, Dr. Bryce Weir stated in 2011 that, "no effective action was taken" regarding the overproduction of Canadian-trained neurosurgeons. 11 In the last several years, the four neurosurgery training programs in Quebec have estimated their future provincial need for neurosurgeons and have adjusted the number of neurosurgery residency positions accordingly. For example, in the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) 2015 match process, only two of the four Quebec neurosurgery residency programs had CMG CaRMS positions, with plans to alternate which programs would receive residents moving forward.…”

History of neurosurgery at University of Toronto: the St. Michael's story

“…He was also not mentioned in any of the previous historical works on the history of neurosurgery in Toronto and Canada. 8,15,17,40,55 The First Neurosurgeon at St. Michael's Hospital W. Keith Welsh graduated from the University of Toronto with honors in 1926 and trained under the mentorship of Norman Shenstone, one of the fathers of thoracic surgery in Canada. 11 In 1947, he became chief of the Department of Surgery and began developing dedicated divisions for plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and neurosurgery.…”

Burr holes, bone flaps, and goose quills: Dr Frank Turnbull, Vancouver’s first neurosurgeon

“…Turnbull remarked that 'the only patients on the neurology ward who had much hope of recovery were those who were transferred to neurosurgery'. 2 While at Toronto General Hospital, Turnbull had come to know Ken McKenzie, Canada's first neurosurgeon 1,2,4 and whom Turnbull approached about a training program in neurosurgery. At that time, McKenzie had never had a resident, and together with Dr Ed Gallie, a senior surgeon at the Hospital for Sick Children who had theorized about what the training program for a surgical specialist should entail, McKenzie and Turnbull devised a plan for Turnbull's neurosurgical residency.…”

“…The specialty of neurosurgery originated early in the 20th century 1 and has progressed and evolved alongside a global landscape that encompassed two World Wars and national health reforms in Canada. When recounting the origins of neurosurgery, names of the 'founding fathers', such as Harvey Cushing, Victor Horsley, Wilder Penfield, Charles Drake, Walter Dandy, among others, come to mind.…”