Spine surgery training and competence of European neurosurgical trainees.

Background: Little is known about the nature of spine surgery training received by European neurosurgical trainees during their residency and the level of competence they acquire in dealing with spinal disorders.

Methods: A three-part questionnaire entailing 32 questions was devised and distributed to the neurosurgical trainees attending the EANS (European Association of Neurosurgical Societies) training courses of 2004.

Results: Of 126 questionnaires, 32% were returned. The majority of trainees responding to the questionnaire were in their final (6(th)) year of training or had completed their training (60.3% of total). Spinal surgery training in European residency programs has clear strengths in the traditional areas of microsurgical decompression for spinal stenosis and disc herniation (77-90% competence in senior trainees). Deficits are revealed in the management of spinal trauma (34-48% competence in senior trainees) and spinal conditions requiring the use of implants and anterior approaches, with the exception of anterior cervical stabilisation.

Conclusions: European neurosurgical trainees possess incomplete competence in dealing with spinal disorders. EANS trainees advocate the development of a postresidency spine subspecialty training program.