Inside Vietnam's Largest Neurosurgery Department

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Healthcare Management
• Global Health

Background:

• Cho Ray Hospital is a leading tertiary care center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
• The neurosurgical department, established in 1958, is one of the world's busiest.
• It handles over 10,000 neurosurgical operations annually, excluding neuroendovascular procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the current status of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Cho Ray Hospital.
• To outline the future direction of neurosurgical services at the institution.
• To highlight the challenges and achievements in a resource-limited setting.

Main Methods:

• Review of departmental statistics and operational scope.
• Description of common elective neurosurgical procedures performed.
• Analysis of the impact of resource constraints on surgical practice.

Main Results:

• The department performs a high volume of complex elective surgeries, including craniotomies for aneurysms, AVMs, and tumors.
• A "doing more with less" philosophy prevails due to cost minimization and resource scarcity.
• Despite challenges, neurosurgical care in Vietnam is continuously improving.

Conclusions:

• The Department of Neurological Surgery at Cho Ray Hospital is a high-volume center facing unique resource challenges.
• The department shows significant progress and a positive trajectory in improving neurosurgical care.
• Its operational model offers insights into managing complex neurosurgery in resource-constrained environments.