History of The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies

The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies was founded 1971 in Prague (Czechoslovakia), by delegates from eighteen national societies present at the Fourth European Congress of Neurosurgery. It was agreed that the language of all EANS activities should be English.

The idea of a European Union of Neurosurgeons had been discussed already in Brussels 1957, where the First International Congress of Neurological Surgery was held. The concept of a European Association of Neurosurgical Societies was discussed after the Rome meeting 1963, and in Madrid 1967 and a committee was established with the task of preparing the definitive constitution.

The original constitution of EANS was published in Acta Neurochirurgica (24:347-348,1971). The association was to be responsible for organising future European Congresses of Neurosurgery every four year, alternating bi-annually with the International Congress of the World Federation of Neurological Societies. It should also organise joint programmes of clinical research and educational interest, discuss common problems, act as an Advisory body when called upon and facilitate the interchange of teaching staffs and young neurosurgeons among the different European neurosurgical departments.

The ultimate legislative body of EANS is the Executive Committee, consisting of representatives from all the national neurosurgical member societies. The Executive Committe normally meets every second year, either at the time of the congress of WFNS or at the time of the quadrennial European neurosurgical congress. The Administrative Council is responsible for the ongoing organisation and administration, and usually meets twice a year, either during the vice-president winter meeting or during the annual training course. The term for office is four years. Elections are held at the time of the European Neurosurgical Congress.

Much of the important work of the EANS has been the job of its different committees , some being more active and effective than others. The creation of the Training Committee from the very beginning of the EANS was an important step, and the strenght and survival of the EANS could during many years be ascribed to its activities, in particular through the formation of lasting friendships among the trainees, and between trainees and teachers.

The EANS was founded in the beautiful city of Prague

• 1959 Zurich - The First European Congress of Neurosurgery
• 1963 Rome (2)
• 1967 Madrid (3)
• 1971 Prague (4)
• 1975 Oxford (5)
• 1979 Paris (6)
• 1983 Brussels (7)
• 1987 Barcelona (8)
• 1991 Moscow (9)
• 1995 Berlin (10)
• 1999 Copenhagen (11)
• 2003 Lisboa (12)
• 2007 Glasgow (13)

Presidents of the EANS

• 1971 - 1975 R. Johnson, United Kingdom
• 1975 - 1979 B. Pertuiset, France
• 1979 - 1983 J. Brihaye, Belgium
• 1983 - 1984 J. Overgaard, Denmark
• 1984 - 1987 F. Isamat, Spain
• 1987 - 1991 E. Paztor, Hungary
• 1991 - 1995 M. Brock, Germany
• 1995 - 1999 Fl. Gjerris, Denmark
• 1999 - 2003 JL. Antunes, Portugal
• 2003 - 2007 KW. Lindsay, UK
• 2007 J. Schramm, Germany

Chairmen of the Training Committee

• 1971 - 1975 H. Pia, Germany
• 1975 - 1979 H. Pia, Germany
• 1979 - 1983 F, Isamat, Spain
• 1983 - 1987 M. Brock, Germany
• 1987 - 1991 G. Foroglou, Greece
• 1991 - 1995 Fl. Gjerris, Denmark
• 1995 - 1999 N. de Tribolet, Switzerland
• 1999 - 2003 Kenneth W. Lindsay, United Kingdom
• 2003 - 2007 JJ. Mooij, Netherlands
• 2007 V. Benes, Czech Republic

The invitation to hold the European Lecture is an opportunity for EANS to pay respect to those, who have made a significant contribution to neurosurgery, or has played an important role in the affairs of the EANS. The Lecture is normally given at the annual Vice-president Winter Meeting.

• 1980 Bonn. Douglas Miller: A European looks at neurosurgery in America - personal observations on clinical practice, training and research.
• 1981 Brussels. Mario Brock: Operability in neurosurgery.
• 1982 Naples. Emil Paztor: Some aspects of personality of the neurosurgeon.
• 1983 Odense. H. Verbiest: Words, images, knowledge and reality. Some reflections from the neurosurgical perspective.
• 1984 Barcelona. Lindsay Symon: The surgical significance of the cerebral circulation.
• 1985 Marseille. Hans Pia: Plasticity of the human brain; a neurosurgeon' s experience of cerebral compensation and decompensation.
• 1986 Warsaw. Bernard Pertuiset: Predicability of outcome in neurological surgery.
• 1987 Winchester. João Lobo Antunes: Teaching and neurosurgery.
• 1988 Elsinore. Gian Franco Rossi: Subspecialisation in neurosurgery.
• 1989 Verona. Jean Brihaye: The European spirit and the EANS.
• 1990 Dresden. Jean Bernay: L'art et la maniere. A french title for a European lecture.
• 1991 Budapest. Friedrich Loew: Speech - a key function in man. Reflections of a neurosurgeon.
• 1992 Thessaloniki. Dries van der Werf: What can the doctor learn from his patient, and the patient from being ill?
• 1993 Rome. John Garfield: The Eye, the Brain and the Camera.
• 1994 Kupio. Gazi Yasargil: Vision, visualisation, wisdom in neurosurgery.
• 1995 London. Abraham Sahar: He who learns so that he may also practice.
• 1996 Taormina: Fabian Isamat: Neurosurgery:an act of contriction.
• 1997 Zaragoza:
• 1998 Istanbul: Reinder Braakman: (performing controled clinical trials).
• 1999 Warsaw: Luc Calliauw: Let's make a Scientific Paper.
• 2000
• 2001 Vienna: Matti Vapalahti: Ethical Problems in Neurosurgical Research.
• 2002 Rome: Professor G Teasdale: Head Injury through the Ages.
• 2003 Bonn: Professor V Calatayud Malondado:
• 2004 Budapest: Professor Nicholas de Tribolet: Neurosurgeons, where do we go?

For further reading on the history of EANS, and a beautiful photographic grand tour of some of Europe's greatest city, we recommend "The History and the Cities" by John Garfield and Jean Brihaye.