Curriculum for Fellowship in Neurosurgery (Brain and Spine)

 

Program Overview

The certificate programme in Neurosurgery envisages to impart comprehensive clinical and research interest in Neuro surgery.

Objectives:

• To provide advanced training in Neurosurgery (Brain and Spine)
• To develop expertise in managing patients with Brain and spine disorders.

Curriculum Structure

The programme typically spans one year and is divided into several postings.

Clinical Postings:

• Neurotrauma ( Brain and Spine Trauma)
• Neurointensive care
• Neuroimaging
• Brain & Spine Clinics
• Neurosurgery Operation Theatre
• Neuro- rehabilitation

Curriculum:

• Traumatic brain injuries
  • Intensive trauma care
  • Decompressive craniectomy
  • ACF repair
  • Cranioplasty
• Traumatic spine injuries
  • Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation ( MISS)
  • Laminectomy and decompression
  • Minimally invasive fixations
• Stroke
• Vascular Neurosurgery
  • DSA
  • Coiling
  • Clipping
  • AVM management – Surgery/Embolisation/ SRS
• Brain tumours
  • IONM ( Intraoperative Neuro Monitoring)
  • Awake craniotomy
  • Neuro Navigation based biopsy
  • Meningioma surgery
  • Glioma surgeries
• Skull base surgeries
  • Skull base surgeries
  • Transnasal Transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery
  • Extended skull base endoscopy
  • CP angle surgeries
  • Microvascular decompression
  • Supraorbital mini craniotomy procedures
  • ACF repair
  • Optic nerve decompression
• Spine tumours
• IONM
• Degenerative spine disorders
  • ACDF
  • Anterior corpectomy and fusion
  • TLIF
  • Microdiscectomy( Tubular/ Endoscopic interlaminar)
  • Transforaminal endoscopic discectomy
  • UBE (Unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy)
  • MISS
  • Percutaneous fixation with bone cement augmentation
  • Vertebroplasty/ kyphoplasty
• Congenital spine disorders
  • Chiari malformations
  • Myelomeningocele
  • CV junction anomalies
  • Split cord malformation
• Hydrocephalus
  • Endoscopic 3rd ventriculostomy
  • VP shunt
  • Programmable shunt
  • other CSF diversion procedures
• Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
  • Stereotactic biopsy
  • Deep Brain Stimulation
  • Epilepsy surgery
• Emergency bed side procedures
  • Intubation
  • Central line insertion
  • EVD
  • Tracheostomy
• Electrolyte disturbances
• Seizures
• Neural Rehabilitation and Neurophysiotherapy
• Neuro imaging
  • Brain and spine imaging
  • DSA
• Case-based discussions
• Journal Club

Teaching Methods:

• Lectures
• Case discussions
• Journal clubs
• Clinical rotations
• Hands-on training in procedures

Core Competencies

Candidates should acquire the following competencies:

• Comprehensive knowledge of neuro anatomy and neurophysiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of brain and spine disorders
• Skills in interpreting and explaining various Neuro imaging modalities
• Proficiency in the diagnosis and management of Traumatic Brain and Spine injuries.
• Expertise in diagnosing, evaluating and planning management of
  • Neurovascular disorders including aneurysms and AVMs.
  • Brain and spine tumours
• Exposure and assisting skills in
  • Endoscopic skull base procedures
  • endoscopic spine and MISS
  • Stereotaxy and Deep brain Stimulation
• Ability to perform and assist bed side procedures like intubation , central venous catherisation, EVD
• Diagnosis and management of Electrolyte disturbances
• Proficiency in Neurointensive Care
• Proficiency in Neuro rehabilitation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Evaluation

Candidates will be evaluated through a combination of:

• Clinical evaluations by attending Neurosurgeons
• Log Book
• Publications

Additional Considerations

• Interprofessional Collaboration: Foster collaboration with other healthcare professionals (e.g., Neurointensive care team, Trauma team, neurology nurses, dieticians, social workers)
• Quality Improvement: Encourage participation in quality improvement initiatives
• Patient Education: Emphasize the importance of patient education and counselling
• Ethics: Address ethical issues in Neurosurgery practice.
• Simulation-based Learning: Incorporate simulation for procedural skills and crisis management

By following this curriculum and emphasizing core competencies, the certificate program will produce well-rounded Neurosurgeons capable of providing excellent patient care and contributing to the field of Neurosurgery.

No. of Seats : 1

Eligibility : MCh/ DrNB (Neurosurgery)

Course Coordinators :

• Dr. Ipe V George (Senior consultant –Neurosurgery),
• Dr. Shyam Balasubramanian (Senior Consultant – Neurosurgery),
• Dr. Jijo J Joseph (Consultant – Neurosurgery),
• Dr. Abdul Rahim Shaan (Consultant – Neurosurgery)

Disclaimer : This programme is not recognised by NMC/State medical councils and intended only for skill upgradation.