History and current state of neurosurgery in Greece

Adamantios Kalogeras, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
Theodosios Spiliotopoulos, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
Nathan A. Shlobin, Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
Anastasia Tasiou, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
George A. Alexiou, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Ioannina.
Nikolaos Foroglou, Department of Neurosurgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki.
Moschos Fratzoglou, Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Nikaia-Piraeus, Athens.
Theofilos S. Paleologos, Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Nikaia-Piraeus, Athens.
Vasilios Panagiotopoulos, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Patras, Rion-Patras.
Ioannis Patsalas, Department of Neurosurgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki.
Aristeidis Prassas, Department of Neurosurgery, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki.
George Stranjalis, Department of Neurosurgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens.
Parmenion P. Tsitsopoulos, Department of Neurosurgery, Hippokratio General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Medicine, Thessaloniki.
Konstantinos Vlachos, Department of Neurosurgery, KAT General Hospital of Attica, Athens, Greece.
Spyridon Voulgaris, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Ioannina.
Gail Rosseau, Department of Neurological Surgery, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC; and.
Kostas N. Fountas, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

5-30-2025

Journal

Journal of neurosurgery

DOI

10.3171/2025.2.JNS242902

Keywords

Greek; disease burden; global; history; neurosurgery; practice

Abstract

There is a global deficit in access to neurosurgical care. Although most of the deficit occurs in low- and middle-income countries, high-income countries can also face similar problems. Greece has experienced challenges in the provision of neurosurgical care due to diverse terrains, socioeconomic inequalities, and deficient health systems. Discussions with key individuals involved in neurosurgical care were conducted to characterize the history and current state of neurosurgery in Greece. Data were collected from Greek hospitals with neurosurgical services and the archives of the Hellenic Neurosurgical Society. A summary of the background of Greece is provided. Then, the ancient and modern history of neurosurgery and the current state of neurosurgery in Greece is described, underscoring important moments and individuals in Greek neurosurgery. This article describes the history and current state of neurosurgery in Greece and yields critical insights to guide the neurosurgical community in developing neurosurgical care in countries that experience similar challenges as Greece.

Department

Neurological Surgery

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