In the global landscape of neurosurgery, peripheral nerve surgery has traditionally been an integral but neglected part, largely overlooked in the shadow of more prominent fields [Citation1]. Recently, this situation has changed: in view of the huge regeneration potential of peripheral nerves, and with technological advances in different forms – ranging from the stimulation and regeneration augmentation methods [Citation2], via the development of surgical approaches and techniques [Citation3], to the implementation of robotic systems [Citation4] – taking the less-travelled road of peripheral nerve surgery has definitely proved to be worth the effort [Citation5].
The fact that this Special Issue of the Neurological Research journal is devoted to the current neurosurgical research conducted in the field of peripheral nerve surgery, under the auspices of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) Section of Peripheral Nerve Surgery – stands as an acknowledgement of the efforts and results of the youngest EANS Section, but also of the entire peripheral nerve surgery community [Citation5].
The EANS Section of Peripheral Nerve Surgery (EANS PNS Section) was officially established in 2017, with the following goals: (i) improving knowledge and education in the field of PNS among young generations; (ii) enabling fellowships and internships (from 3 to 12 months) for young neurosurgeons who want to specialize in peripheral nerve surgery, by establishing cooperation between European and World centers of excellence in the field; (iii) promoting multidisciplinary collaboration; (iv) raising global awareness about the importance of peripheral nerve surgery; (v) identifying the needs of developing countries and providing professional support; (vi) establishing unified standards with regard to the level of neurosurgical technologies, which will be achievable and applicable in all countries, regardless of their current state; (vii) improving the quality of life and social impact; and (viii) establishing a new surgical subspecialization, termed nerve surgery, in the future.
Since its establishment, the EANS PNS Section has made great and fruitful efforts to promote peripheral nerve surgery – notably: the largest number of EANS Webinars of all sections; the development of a consensus paper on one of the most controversial topical issues (not only in neurosurgery, but in medicine generally) – the thoracic outlet syndrome [Citation6]; the development of the preliminary nerve surgery curriculum; the increased visibility of the Section and significance of peripheral nerve surgery among neurosurgeons, including neurosurgical events within the first EANS Pre-Congress Course dedicated entirely to the peripheral nerve surgery.
This Special Issue marks the first 5 years of the EANS PNS Section, paying tribute to previous converging efforts and accomplishments in the area of peripheral nerve surgery. It features the papers written by the most prominent European experts in the field – members of the EANS PNS Section and their renowned colleagues. The Special Issue covers different aspects and concepts of peripheral nerve surgery, from basic to innovative, including controversial issues such as Meralgia paresthetica and complex brachial plexus pathology. In its scope and depth, this publication provides a valuable addition to the literature in the field of neurosurgery and an insightful repository of contemporary peripheral nerve surgery resources.
It is an immense privilege and honor for me to have been granted the opportunity to be the guest editor of this Neurological Research Special Issue as a Founding Chairman of the EANS PNS Section. In my own name and on behalf of all the current and future EANS PNS Section members, I would like to express sincere gratitude to Professor Ben Roitberg, Editor-in-Chief, as well as to all the colleagues who contributed to this Neurological Research Special Issue, which paves the way to further interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary development of peripheral nerve surgery.
References
- Maniker A, Passannante M. Peripheral nerve surgery and neurosurgeons: results of a national survey of practice patterns and attitudes. J Neurosurg. 2003 Jun;98(6):1159–1164.
- Pindrik J, Belzberg AJ. Peripheral nerve surgery: primer for the imagers. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2014 Feb;24(1):193–210.
- Robla-Costales J, Rodríguez-Aceves C, Martínez-Benia F, et al. State of the art and advances in peripheral nerve surgery. Adv Tech Stand Neurosurg. 2022;45:245–283.
- Chen LW, Goh M, Goh R, et al. Robotic-assisted peripheral nerve surgery: a systematic review. J Reconstr Microsurg. 2021 Jul;37(6):503–513.
- Rasulic L. Peripheral nerve surgery: the road less traveled. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2018 Aug;160(8):1587–1589.
- Dengler NF, Ferraresi S, Rochkind S, et al. Thoracic outlet syndrome part i: systematic review of the literature and consensus on anatomy, diagnosis, and classification of thoracic outlet syndrome by the European Association of neurosurgical societies’ section of peripheral nerve surgery. Neurosurg. 2022 Jun 1;90(6):653–667.