A century of change in neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins: 1889–1989

Abstract

✓ Neurosurgical admissions to The Johns Hopkins Hospital during the first year of its existence, the first and last years of Harvey Cushing's practice, the last years of Walter Dandy's practice, the last years of Earl Walker's tenure, and the current neurosurgical case load are reviewed. Sixteen patients with neurosurgical problems were admitted during the first year of the hospital's existence. In the first year of Harvey Cushing's staff appointment, 38 neurosurgical patients were admitted. Infection, trauma, and trigeminal neuralgia were the most common neurosurgical problems at that time. When Harvey Cushing retired in 1912, his practice had grown to 100 operations per year. By the end of Walter Dandy's tenure, the surgical volume was much larger, more than 500 major operations per year. The development of neurosurgery virtually can be mirrored in the practice of neurosurgery under Harvey Cushing and Walter Dandy. From its humble beginnings in the treatment of trauma and infection, neurosurgery has expanded to cover all forms of intracranial disease, virtually every aspect of spinal disease, vascular disease (both intracranial and extracranial), and peripheral nerve injury. The centennial celebration at Johns Hopkins may be considered a centennial for neurosurgery. As we reflect upon our foundations, it is worthwhile to ask what changes we will contribute to the further development of neurosurgery in the next century.