''
BRAIN SURGERY is sort of an art, kind of a science, but mostly just a crapshoot."
CHARLES BAXTER M.D. F.A.C.S. (1929-2005) PARKLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, DALLAS TEXAS, 1977
Neurosurgeons survive a rigorous selection process and lengthy surgical training only to care for patients whose brain diseases and afflications will frequently result in death or serious disability. Furthermore, because the complex structure and function of the brain and spinal cord remain incompletely understood, even the most successful neurosurgical treatments often entail extraordinary risk.
Nonetheless, the young surgical specialty of neurosurgery attracts many of medicine's brightest and most dedicated students. With experience, these young physicians will ultimately develop a unique intimacy with the owners/operators of sick and injured brains which doesn't make them qualitatively better or worse than other health care professionals... just different.
Crapshooters, like the man said.
