The future perspectives of pediatric neurosurgery

Pediatric neurosurgery as a subspecialty dealing primarily with such congenital and perinatal pathology as the dysraphic state, and various clinical entities having in common ventriculomegaly, is fast disappearing from the scene of neurosurgery in the industrialized world. Pari passu with this, one observes ever closer collaborative work between pediatric neurosurgeons and specialists in other pediatric disciplines such as oncology, radiology, orthopedics, and maxillofacial surgery: truly multidisciplinary activities. In addition, paramedical and specialized nursing personnel are participating actively, even in the decision-making and treatment-delivery aspects of pediatric neurosurgical care. The pediatric neurosurgeon is no longer the sole decision-maker, nor the automatic captain of the ship. Very probably, as in the whole history of human activities, new instrumentation will change somewhat what we do and with whom we collaborate. However, for the immediate future the major changes most probably will be expressions of socioeconomic readjustments, of ethical redefinitions, and of the to-and-fro movement into and out of pediatric neurosurgery by both neurosurgeons and ancillary medical personnel.