The Mayo, Cushing, and Osler Influence on A. L. Rhoton: A Historical Vignette of the Interconnectedness Between Highly Influential Neurosurgery Leaders over 100 Years

World Neurosurg. 2024 Jan:181:137-144. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.08.143. Epub 2023 Sep 6.

Abstract

The careers of the Mayo brothers, Harvey Cushing, and Sir William Osler greatly shaped medical and surgical practice in the late 19th century and early 20th century and created a legacy to influence decades of physicians to follow. Additionally, these individuals were instrumental in the founding of neurosurgery as a distinct surgical specialty. Alongside these great men, Dr. Albert L. Rhoton Jr., revolutionized neurosurgical practice through his study of neuroanatomy and development of microsurgical technique in the second half of the 20th century. This review of the interactions and relationships between the Mayo brothers, Cushing, and Osler and their influences on Rhoton highlights the 100-year-long interconnectedness shared between these giants in the history of neurosurgery.

Keywords: Dr. Albert Rhoton; George T. Harrell; Harvey Cushing; Mayo; Mayo Clinic; Osler; Rhoton; Sir William Osler.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuroanatomy
  • Neurosurgery* / history
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / history
  • Physicians*