When the Air Hits Your Brain: Tales from Neurosurgery

by Frank T. Vertosick Jr.

The recent progress in brain stimulation, as it turns out, is particularly relevant for me. In 2001, I developed a mild tremor of my left hand. This didn’t hinder me in the operating room, at least not at first, but my unsteadiness soon became obvious to my patients and colleagues alike. A brain surgeon with unsteady hands is, well, pick whatever analogy you like, it’s not good. I began limiting myself to operations like simple disc procedures and carpal tunnel releases, but the situation steadily declined. By late 2002, I had to quit surgery and do office consultations only. By 2004, it became clear that I had early Parkinson’s disease. So far, my condition has not progressed much beyond hand tremors and I can still play tennis and golf, and even scuba dive. In fact, I can do most anything—everything except surgery. I found it difficult at first; in fact, even years later, I have occasionally dreamed that I am doing a meningioma removal (my favorite operation). But now, I rarely think of my past life as a surgeon.