Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is the surgical discipline focused on treating those central and peripheral nervous systemsand spinal column diseases amenable to surgical intervention. In the United States there are only about 3,000 neurosurgeons

In the United States, neurosurgeons typically have completed four years of pre-medical education (typically an undergraduate degree in the biological sciences), four years of medical school, and six to eight years of neurosurgical residency training (including the intern year). Neurosurgeons may also elect to complete a fellowship of one to two additional years in a neurosurgical subspecialty (pediatrics, oncology, endovascular, spine, functional, etc.). This training is the longest of all U.S. medical specialties. Neurosurgery is one of the five most-competitive specialties to which graduating medical students may apply, with fewer than 200 positions offered in each year's residency match (the other four being plastic surgery, dermatology, orthopaedic surgery, andotolaryngology)