Young aspiring neurosurgeons can now delve into the technical nuances of operative neurosurgery through a video-based learning platform of neurological procedures.

The audio-visual learning platform – Neuro-Spinal Optica – has been brought out by Balaji Pai S., Special Officer of the State-run Trauma and Emergency Care Centre (TECC) on Victoria Hospital campus and Professor of neurosurgery at Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI).

Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil and Bengaluru Rural MP C.N. Manjunath released the cutting-edge digital course on Wednesday in Victoria Hospital. 

Dr. Pai, who had also brought out an atlas of neurological procedures performed in neuro departments across the country in 2022, said Neuro-Spinal Optica is a structured video-based learning platform covering over 55 cranial and over 17 spinal surgery videos, designed to simplify complex neurosurgical procedures.

Real surgical cases

“Each high-quality surgical training video is carefully edited, subtitled, and includes expert commentary with interactive Q and A sessions. Designed for neurosurgery residents, medical students, and aspiring neurosurgeons, this programme bridges the gap in surgical education by providing real-world operative insights, advanced surgical techniques, and step-by-step procedural guidance,” Dr. Pai told The Hindu.

The cranial section covers basic techniques, skill-based surgery,  tumours, cerebrovascular surgery, and some miscellaneous videos. The spinal section consists of topics such as the CV Junction, Cervical spine and the thoracolumbar spine. 

“These videos are derived from operations on many patients and have been edited, fused, and subtitled. I provide commentary for each video, with a Q and A session at the end of each chapter, making it a comprehensive teaching material. This is also an undergraduate package for young aspiring neurosurgeons,” Dr. Pai said.

Pointing out that there are very few centres that train residents on all aspects of neurosurgery, the senior neurosurgeon said: “Most of the departments can at the most perform only around 40% of the surgical procedures. Increase in the departments and the resultant residents has only compounded this problem. Hence, residents have to look at other options to complete their training or remain untrained/ semi-trained at the best.”

“I must confess that all aspects of neurosurgery have not been covered. The techniques displayed are drawn from personal experience and no claims are made by me that they are superlative,” he added.