Contribution of Japan to Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery

Abstract

Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery （ SFN ） is one of the oldest subspecialties of neurosurgery. In Japan, functional epilepsy surgery was performed in the Meiji era, and general surgeons operated on patients with intractable cancer pain with open myelotomy and cordotomy even before World War Ⅱ . The knowledge gained from such old procedures contributed to the understanding of neurophysiology. There-fore, functional neurosurgery was known as “ applied neurophysiology ” . Human stereotactic surgery started in 1947, and many Japanese neurosurgeons, particularly Hirotaro Narabayashi, Keiji Sano, and Chihiro Ohye, have contributed to the development of this field. We also have to remember that common procedures currently used in neurosurgery, such as neuroendoscopy, navigation surgery, intraoperative moni-toring, and the concept of exo (cid:514) scope, are taken from SFN, which pursue less invasive and accurate surgery. Research on the Forel H field in the 1960s in Japan is now being revived for the treatment of epilepsy, Parkinson ʼ s disease, and dystonia. Young doctors should learn from the history and understand where we come from, where we are now, and where we are going. This is very important for Japan ʼ s contribution to many untreated patients.