Author Description

In this book, we have presented 100 vivas; pitched at the level for certification in neurosurgery. The structure of the book mirrors that of Section 2 of Intercollegiate Fellowship Examination of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS), which serves as the exit examination for neurosurgical trainees in the United Kingdom (and abroad), however the subject matter has been designed to be equally appropriate for those preparing for: the oral examination for The American Board of Neurological Surgery, Fellow of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (FCS Neuro, ECSA), the European Board Examination in Neurological Surgery (Part 2), or the Canadian Royal College Examination in Neurosurgery (Applied Component). The vivas are grouped into four sections: Operative Surgery including Surgical Anatomy, Investigation of the Neurosurgical Patient including Neuroradiology, Non-operative Practice including Applied Basic Sciences, (also known colloquially as the ‘mannitol viva’), and a bonus, fourth section which features some of the most frequently occurring questions; the Examiner’s Favourites! We have tried to cover as much subject matter as possible, however the topics covered are by no means exhaustive. We hope that this book will serve as a useful supplement to the candidate preparing for their final examination; whether in the UK or abroad and that it will assist those prior to clearing this hurdle. We wish you the best of luck! JMWR, IAA, PVM