The evolution and future of minimalism in neurological surgery.
BACKGROUND
The evolution of the field of neurological surgery has been marked by a progressive minimalism. This has been evident in the development of an entire arsenal of modern neurosurgical enterprises, including microneurosurgery, neuroendoscopy, stereotactic neurosurgery, endovascular techniques, radiosurgical systems, intraoperative and navigational devices, and in the last decade, cellular and molecular adjuvants.


OBJECTIVE
In addition to reviewing the major developments and paradigm shifts in the cyclic reinvention of the field as it currently stands, this paper attempts to identify forces and developments that are likely to fuel the irresistible escalation of minimalism into the future. These forces include discoveries in computational science, imaging, molecular science, biomedical engineering, and information processing as they relate to the theme of minimalism.


CONCLUSIONS
These areas are explained in the light of future possibilities offered by the emerging field of nanotechnology with molecular engineering.
Liu
Charles Y
CY
Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1975 Zonal Avenue, KAM 415, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
Wang
Michael Y
MY
Apuzzo
Michael L J
ML
D001698:Biomedical Engineering; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D016252:Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000639:trends*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted