The main reason for this trip is of course our scientific project, so it goes without saying that it all but deserves to be written about at least once. Let me begin by giving a small explanation of this project.
A year ago Dr. Delwel (neurosurgeon at the Erasmus medical University), Jorn and I started out on a collaboration that would shed more light on a complicated neurosurgical technique that sets its aim on reaching the base of the skull and the upper part of the brainstem. The indication for such an approach usually involves the removal of tumours or aneurysms (a potentially lethal widening of a blood vessel) local to the aforementioned area.
We decided to study the advantage of combining two already known approaches to these areas of the brain. And as the title of this segment already suggests, one of these approaches was pioneered by Professor Takeshi Kawase of the KEIO medical University. This great man is also the main reason we made it to this city, for we were invited to visit his hospital after just one e-mail asking for his advice concerning our research.
So after quickly having accepted the invitation, we now find ourselves visiting most of the neurosurgical operations that are being performed during our stay. These operations take place twice a week and usually comprise of a whole day, for these interventions can easily last for 8 hours and longer with ease.
The interesting aspect of it all is being able to see how thing are done here in Japan. Remarkably though, things are very similar when compared to the conditions under which the operations are performed in Rotterdam. We both tend to use the same equipment and the techniques are also the same. So in the end, aside from learning allot about the general aspects of neurosurgery, we get most of our relevant information from discussions with the Professor himself.
Other small details that bear mentioning are that, in spite of the greater similarities, there are also small differences like the gratitude and felicitations a surgeon receives from all those around him after having performed the surgery, and of course a surgeon also receives wishes of good luck before venturing towards the deep ends of the human brain. In the end, like in most parts of this city, we were made to feel very welcome. The entire neurosurgical staff even went through the trouble of holding a significant part of their conferences in English just so that two medical students would be able to follow the discussions regarding the operations to be held or those held in the previous week. Actions like these only further highlight the dedication and discipline with which the people here go about their daily business, be it working in a small restaurant, tending to a garden or operating on human brains.
A year ago Dr. Delwel (neurosurgeon at the Erasmus medical University), Jorn and I started out on a collaboration that would shed more light on a complicated neurosurgical technique that sets its aim on reaching the base of the skull and the upper part of the brainstem. The indication for such an approach usually involves the removal of tumours or aneurysms (a potentially lethal widening of a blood vessel) local to the aforementioned area.
We decided to study the advantage of combining two already known approaches to these areas of the brain. And as the title of this segment already suggests, one of these approaches was pioneered by Professor Takeshi Kawase of the KEIO medical University. This great man is also the main reason we made it to this city, for we were invited to visit his hospital after just one e-mail asking for his advice concerning our research.
So after quickly having accepted the invitation, we now find ourselves visiting most of the neurosurgical operations that are being performed during our stay. These operations take place twice a week and usually comprise of a whole day, for these interventions can easily last for 8 hours and longer with ease.
The interesting aspect of it all is being able to see how thing are done here in Japan. Remarkably though, things are very similar when compared to the conditions under which the operations are performed in Rotterdam. We both tend to use the same equipment and the techniques are also the same. So in the end, aside from learning allot about the general aspects of neurosurgery, we get most of our relevant information from discussions with the Professor himself.
Other small details that bear mentioning are that, in spite of the greater similarities, there are also small differences like the gratitude and felicitations a surgeon receives from all those around him after having performed the surgery, and of course a surgeon also receives wishes of good luck before venturing towards the deep ends of the human brain. In the end, like in most parts of this city, we were made to feel very welcome. The entire neurosurgical staff even went through the trouble of holding a significant part of their conferences in English just so that two medical students would be able to follow the discussions regarding the operations to be held or those held in the previous week. Actions like these only further highlight the dedication and discipline with which the people here go about their daily business, be it working in a small restaurant, tending to a garden or operating on human brains.
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