American influence on the origins of neurosurgery in the Netherlands.

Abstract

Although the Netherlands played a major role in the revival of craniotomy in the late 19th century, modern neurosurgery made a late start there. Unlike the situation in other European countries, Dutch neurosurgery lacked a protagonist when, at the turn of the last century, craniotomy became less popular due to discouraging results. During two lecture tours in the US in the 1920s and 1930s, the influential Dutch neurologist Bernard Brouwer also visited the leading neurosurgical centers. He was deeply impressed by the high standards and results in the New World, and upon his return to Amsterdam, he decided to try to change the dismal state of Dutch neurosurgery. Funds were raised to send the general surgeon Ignaz Oljenick for training to Harvey Cushing, and close ties between Amsterdam and neuroscientists in the US remained. Several American neurosurgeons received part of their basic training in Amsterdam. A second Dutch surgeon, Ferdinand Verbeek, honed his neurosurgical skills under Dr. Walter Dandy. The strong American influence on the philosophy and everyday actions of Dutch neurosurgeons continues until this day.