The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) has developed into a vital organization representing neurosurgical societies across Europe, shaped by significant events and dedicated individuals over decades.

Phase 1: Before World War II

In the 1920s and 1930s, neurosurgery began to solidify as a distinct medical discipline across Europe with initial departments often located within larger surgical or neurological institutions. This foundation was laid by pioneering neurosurgeons across several European countries including:

– United Kingdom: Leaders like Sir Hugh Cairns (Oxford), Sir Geoffrey Jefferson (Manchester), and Norman Dott (Edinburgh) were instrumental in advancing the field.

– France: Thierry de Martel and Clovis Vincent in Paris made significant contributions to French neurosurgery.

– Germany: Otfrid Foerster (Breslau), Fedor Krause (Berlin), and Wilhelm Tönnis (Würzburg/Berlin) led Germany’s neurosurgical development.

– Sweden, Switzerland, and the Soviet Union: Herbert Olivecrona (Stockholm), Hugo Krayenbühl (Zürich), and Nicolai N. Burdenko (Moscow) contributed notably in their regions.

In 1926, British neurosurgeons established the Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS), inspiring the formation of similar associations across Europe. The society held joint meetings in various cities from 1930 to 1938, fostering cross-border collaboration. In 1936, Wilhelm Tönnis launched “Zentralblatt für Neurochirurgie,” the first neurosurgical journal in German and English, promoting European neurosurgical knowledge exchange. However, World War II interrupted the progress toward formal neurosurgical associations and international networks across the continent.

Phase 2: After World War II

Following WWII, European neurosurgery societies focused on national consolidation and recovery. By 1957, during the first International Congress of Neurological Sciences and Neurosurgery in Brussels, European neurosurgeons reconnected, initiating a dialogue that would shape the EANS. This congress fostered research relationships and inspired more formal collaboration among neurosurgical organizations.

The concept of a European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) gained momentum after the 1963 congress in Rome. The “fathers of the European Union of Neurosurgeons,” who had initiated this idea in Brussels in 1957, developed a draft constitution by 1966, aiming to formally establish the EANS at the congress in Madrid in 1967. The responsibility was given to a committee composed of Marcel David, Kristian Kristiansen, Friedrich Loew, Sixto Obrador and Joe Pennybaker. This committee worked to finalize the draft constitution and maintained close ties with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) through Kristian Kristiansen (Oslo), then WFNS secretary.

The committee’s significant meetings took place in Paris in December 1967 and later in New York at the 4th International Congress of Neurological Societies in 1969; thispaved the way for the association’s establishment. Although the plan was to found the association in 1967, four more years were required. Finally, in 1971, in Prague, the EANS was formally established, with Richard T. Johnson elected as its first president. The preliminary constitution was unanimously ratified by founding members, and the vision of the EANS was clear: it would represent “all of Europe,” inclusive of neurosurgical societies from every country, regardless of political systems. English was chosen as the official language to support inclusivity across diverse regions.

EANS Presidents

Richard T Johnsen 1971–1975

Bernard Pertuiset 1975–1979

Jean Brihaye 1979–1983

Jørn Overgaard 1983-1984

Fabian Isamat 1984-1987

Emil Pasztor 1987-1991

Mario Brock 1991-1995

Flemming Gerris 1995-1999

Juan Lobo-Antunes 1999-2003

Ken Lindsay 2003-2007

Johannes Schramm 2007-2011

Vladimir Beneš 2011-2015

André Grotenhuis 2015-2017

Jesus Lafuente 2017-2019

Karl Schaller 2019-2021

Andreas Demetriades 2021-2023

Torstein R. Meling 2023-2025

EANS Today

Today, the EANS is a hybrid professional and educational organization with a structure that includes more than 40 national member societies and approximately 3,000 individual members, encompassing nearly every European country as well as members from outside the continent. The association serves as an extensive network for neurosurgical education, research and professional development, open to practicing neurosurgeons, trainees, medical students and professionals from related fields.

Under the leadership of current president Torstein R. Meling, the EANS functions through its Executive Committee and Board of Officers. The Annual General Meeting (AGM), comprising of representatives from both national societies and individual members, serves as the legislative body for the EANS. The groundwork laid by the initial committee—promoting an inclusive vision—remains central to the organization’s mission of uniting neurosurgeons across Europe.

Core Functions and Initiatives of EANS

1. Education and Training

– European Training Course in Neurosurgery: Founded in the 1970s by Professors Brihaye, Pia and Vigoroux, the courses aim to serve the needs of neurosurgical trainees in the latter half of their training in neurosurgery. The excellence of the courses and their scientific and social value is acknowledged throughout the European neurosurgical community

The structured, four-year training program for residents combines practical and theoretical instruction led by experienced neurosurgeons. The EANS organizes 3 courses per year, with 240 to 260 participants and 40 faculty from all over Europe. Annual 4-day courses cover the key topics of Vascular Neurosurgery /Peripheral Nerves, Tumour and Functional Neurosurgery /Head Injury, and the annual 5-day course covers Spine.

– Fellow of the European Board of Neurological Surgery (FEBNS): As a significant credential, the FEBNS certification is awarded to neurosurgeons who complete the comprehensive European board examination process. This certification is highly respected and recognized as a benchmark of neurosurgical proficiency across Europe.

– EANS Hands-On Courses: These coursesare designed to provide practical experience and skill development in various neurosurgical techniques. They cover a broad spectrum of topics, ensuring that participants, whether residents or experienced surgeons, can enhance their clinical skills in specific areas of neurosurgery.

1. EANS Lyon Hands-On Course
2. EANS Cranial Step I Hands-On Course
3. EANS Cranial Step II Hands-On Course
4. EANS Spinal Step I Hands-On Course
5. EANS Spinal Step II Hands-On Course
6. EANS Advanced Course in Spinal Surgery, Part I
7. EANS Advanced Course in Spinal Surgery, Part 2
8. EANS White Matter Dissection Course
9. EANS Microneurosurgery Hands-On Course
10. EANS Advanced Microvascular Hands-On Course
11. EANS Boot camp for Vascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
12. EANS Basic Endovascular Course
13. EANS Advanced Course in Skull Base Surgery
14. EANS Neuro-Oncology Hands-On Course
15. EANS Epilepsy Surgery Brain Dissection Course
16. EANS Peripheral Nerve Surgery Pre-Congress Course

– Fellowships and Scholarships: The EANS offers fellowships and scholarships for young neurosurgeons to gain international experience and work alongside experts at European centers of excellence.

– EANS Academy: An online platform offering webinars, recorded lectures and case studies to ensure ongoing learning beyond in-person events.

2. Annual Congress and Specialized Meetings

– The Annual Congress, a flagship event, attracts approximately 2,000 participants to discuss the latest advancements in neurosurgery.

– Annual specialized meetings also occur throughout the year on topics like trauma and critical care, neuro-oncology, vascular neurosurgery, spinal surgery, research, and the EANS Young Neurosurgeon’s Meeting.

3. Research Grants

– The EANS supports research grants and encourages collaborative projects among member societies, working with organizations such as the European Brain Council (EBC) to foster neuroscience and neurosurgery research.

4. Collaborations & MOUs

– The EANS has memorandum of understanding (MOU) with several European neuroscience organizations, most notably the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), EuroSpine, and the European Society of Neuroradiology (ESNR), and the annual EANS Vascular Section Meetings are held in conjunction with the annual congress of the European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy (ESMINT).

– For the past two years, the EANS also has an memorandum of understanding with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).

5. Advocacy and Policy Engagement

– European Union and Health Policy Advocacy: The EANS engages with the European Union (EU) and other policy bodies like the European Brain Council (EBC) to promote access to neurosurgical care, the harmonization of neurosurgical standards and the allocation of research funding.

– The EANS collaborates with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) to standardize neurosurgical training and competencies.

– The EANS engages with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) to promote global neurosurgical standards.

6. Corporate Partnerships

– Industry Partnerships: The EANS partners with medical device and pharmaceutical companies to bring the latest technologies and treatments to neurosurgeons, enhancing clinical practice and patient outcomes. These partnerships support EANS’s educational events, research projects and annual congress.

Through these initiatives, the EANS continues to strengthen professional and academic growth in neurosurgery, uniting the European neurosurgical community in a shared commitment to advancing education, research and high standards of care.