Similarities and differences in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage between eastern Finland and northern Sydney

A significant body of literature on aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage has emerged from Finland. The Finnish source from a small founding population, rather than from a wide heterogeneous source such as used for other populations, suggests the need for caution when attempting to generalise using Finnish data. This study aims to identify the differences and similarities between the aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage populations of eastern Finland and northern Sydney to ascertain whether information that is derived from Finland has applicability to an Australian context. Existing aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage databases of Kuopio University Hospital in eastern Finland and the Royal North Shore and Dalcross Private Hospitals in northern Sydney from 2000 to 2005 were combined and analysed. A total of 879 patients were identified. Comparisons fell into three categories: features that were similar between the two populations; those with apparent differences that may be explained by methods of data collection or referral patterns; and differences that probably represent a true difference between these populations. The differences suggest that genetic predispositions for aneurysm development may not affect the likelihood for aneurysmal rupture.5 page(s

Procedures performed during neurosurgery residency in Europe

International audienceAbstract Background In a previous article ( 10.1007/s00701-019-03888-3 ), preliminary results of a survey, aiming to shed light on the number of surgical procedures performed and assisted during neurosurgery residency in Europe were reported. We here present the final results and extend the analyses. Methods Board-certified neurosurgeons of European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) member countries were asked to review their residency case logs and participate in a 31-question electronic survey (SurveyMonkey Inc., San Mateo, CA). The responses received between April 25, 2018, and April 25, 2020, were considered. We excluded responses that were incomplete, from non-EANS member countries, or from respondents that have not yet completed their residency. Results Of 430 responses, 168 were considered for analysis after checking in- and exclusion criteria. Survey responders had a mean age of 42.7 ± 8.8 years, and 88.8% were male. Responses mainly came from surgeons employed at university/teaching hospitals (85.1%) in Germany (22.0%), France (12.5%), the United Kingdom (UK; 8.3%), Switzerland (7.7%), and Greece (7.1%). Most responders graduated in the years between 2011 and 2019 (57.7%). Thirty-eight responders (22.6%) graduated before and 130 responders (77.4%) after the European WTD 2003/88/EC came into effect. The mean number of surgical procedures performed independently, supervised or assisted throughout residency was 540 (95% CI 424–657), 482 (95% CI 398–568), and 579 (95% CI 441–717), respectively. Detailed numbers for cranial, spinal, adult, and pediatric subgroups are presented in the article. There was an annual decrease of about 33 cases in total caseload between 1976 and 2019 (coeff. − 33, 95% CI − 62 to − 4, p = 0.025). Variables associated with lesser total caseload during residency were training abroad (1210 vs. 1747, p = 0.083) and female sex by trend (947 vs. 1671, p = 0.111), whereas case numbers were comparable across the EANS countries ( p = 0.443). Conclusion The final results of this survey largely confirm the previously reported numbers. They provide an opportunity for current trainees to compare their own case logs with. Again, we confirm a significant decline in surgical exposure during training between 1976 and 2019. In addition, the current analysis reveals that female sex and training abroad may be variables associated with lesser case numbers during residency