Should neurosurgeons retire?

摘要

Being a neurosurgeon is a protracted, time-consuming, and labor-intensive occupation. It presupposes excellent, continuing physical and mental competence, and a passion to always do better than the best. During the last two decades, the exponential deployment of operative technology has resulted in a radical transformation, making a neurosurgeon trained four decades ago, run the risk of being outdated. Expectations from patients have reached an all time high level. Socioeconomic and medicolegal aspects cannot be brushed aside. It is universally accepted that in spite of increasing longevity in the educated upper middle class, the process of ageing per se continues relentlessly. When is enough enough? Is there a risk that a "senior, experienced" neurosurgeon may even become a liability to his patients some day? Should there be a mandatory time point at which a neurosurgeon should necessarily stop operating. The author reviews the published literature and opines that after the age of 65 years, all seniors should agree to their operating privileges being formally reviewed regularly every 2 years.