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| Department of Neurosurgery Director – Professor Andrew Kaye |
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| Clinical Initiatives in Neurosurgery The major recent clinical initiatives have involved the establishment of dedicated specialist neurosurgery outpatient clinics. The cerebrovascular clinic, led by Mr John Laidlaw treats patients with complex cerebrovascular disorders in conjunction with members of the Department of Neurology (Dr Bernard Yan) and neuroradiology (Professor Peter Mitchell). A Neuro-oncology Clinic, established by Dr Kate Drummond is attended by members of the Department of Oncology including Professor Mark Rosenthal and Professor David Ashley. This clinic provides a holistic unified approach for the treatment of patients with malignant brain tumours. Patients with complex pain disorders are treated by Professor Peter Teddy in the Pain Clinic. This clinic is also attended by anaesthetists, rehabilitation specialists and social workers. Dr Richard Bittar has been recruited to the Department and together with Professor Peter Teddy and Dr Andrew Evans from the Department of Neurology a specialised Movement Disorders Program was established treating patients with complex movement disorders such as occurs in Parkinson’s Disease. This involves the insertion of deep brain stimulators into highly selected patients. Neurosurgery Research Overview The Department of Neurosurgery's clinical and laboratory research activities augment each of the specialised clinical programs including Brain Tumours, Cerebrovascular The Department of Neurosurgery continues to be involved in a major collaborative Brain Tumour Research Program in conjunction with the Department of Surgery at The University of Melbourne, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, the Howard Florey Research Institute and the Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology of The University of Melbourne. This research program involves the study of molecular and cellular events that lead to the development of brain cancer and the complex intracellular signalling pathway, thereby leading to the development of novel biological controls. In addition the Department of Neurosurgery in conjunction with members of the University’s Department of Medicine is investigating the molecular events underlying the development of epilepsy and brain cancer. The laboratory research is undertaken almost exclusively within the Department of Surgery at The University of Melbourne. The laboratories are located within the Clinical Sciences Building, and are collocated with the Hospital. In conjunction with the Department of Endocrinology and the Department of Ophthalmology the Department of Neurosurgery is undertaking the study of the use of optical coherence tomography in measuring the retinal nerve fibre layer and predicting the visual outcome following treatment for optic compressive pathology. The Department of Neurosurgery is involved in a number of clinical research programs involving the optimal management of patients with severe brain trauma. The Department also has a vigorous clinical research program studying the management of patients following subarachnoid haemorrhage from cerebral aneurysm. | ||
 Neuro-endocrino | ||
