The Continuing Legacy of M. Gazi Yaşargil and the Microneurosurgery Laboratory at Yeditepe University School of Medicine.

Abstract

The importance of cadaver studies has been evident throughout history. Herophilus, as the first in human history to perform systemic dissections of the human body, was born in Chalcedon, where the Yeditepe University Microneurosurgery Laboratory was established to perpetuate Professor Yaşargil's esteemed legacy. This article aims to showcase the historical background and the workflow of the laboratory to highlight its contributions to microneurosurgery. The archives of the Department of Neurosurgery at Yeditepe University were analyzed from August 2005 to July 2025. Historical background of the establishment of the microneurosurgery laboratory was explained in conjunction with the İstanbul Yaşargil Microneurosurgery Courses. Four parts of the laboratory were defined. The achievements of the laboratory and the fellow training curriculum were clarified in detail. The department of neurosurgery at Yeditepe University was constructed by the senior author (U.T.) on August 26, 2005, and then the microneurosurgery laboratory was constructed within the department on May 30, 2008. After its creation, the idea of the İstanbul Yaşargil Microneurosurgery Courses emerged through collaboration with Professor Yaşargil and the senior author (U.T.). To date, fellows and observers have authored more than 100 publications with the department. Under the visionary leadership of Professor Yaşargil, the Yeditepe University Microneurosurgery Laboratory has significantly impacted the field of neurosurgery, preparing the next generation to lead and innovate. We respectfully and gratefully dedicate this work to his memory.