NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY is a discipline of medicine and that specialty of surgery that provides operative and non-operative management (i.e. critical care, prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation) of disorders of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their supporting structures and vascular supply; the evaluation and treatment of pathological processes that modify the function or activity of the nervous system, including the hypophysis; and the operative and non-operative management of pain. As such, Neurological Surgery encompasses treatment of adult and pediatric patients with disorders of the nervous system: disorders of the brain, meninges, and skull, and their blood supply, including the extracranial carotid and vertebral arteries; disorders of the pituitary gland; disorders of the spinal cord, meninges, and vertebral column, including those that may require treatment by spinal fusion or instrumentation; and disorders of the cranial, spinal, and periphera nerves throughout their distribution.

History
Recognizing the need for detailed training and special qualifications for the practice of neurosurgery, representatives from The Society of Neurological Surgeons and the Harvey Cushing Society [now the American Association of Neurological Surgeons AANS)] held an informal gathering on March 27, 1939 to discuss the concept of a board. Those in attendance were Drs. Alfred W. Adson, Paul C. Bucy, Winchell McK. Craig, Loyal Davis, Howard C. Naffziger, Eric Oldberg, Max M. Peet, and R. Glen Spurling. This group was later enlarged to include representatives from the Section on Nervous and Mental Diseases and the Section on Surgery of the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Neurological Association, and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). On November 19, 1939 the first preliminary meeting was held at the Palmer House in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to the above, Drs. Leo M. Davidoff, Temple Fay, Tracy J. Putnam, and Ernest Sachs were included. Dr. Howard C. Naffziger was elected Chairman, Dr. Alfred W. Adson Vice-Chairman, and Dr. R. Glen Spurling Secretary/Treasurer. A second preliminary meeting of the same group, with the addition of Dr. Byron Stookey, was held on April 28, 1940 at the Park Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri. The group unanimously decided that a separate board should be formed for certification in neurological surgery, and guidelines were established to grandfather neurosurgeons who could be certified without examination.

The American Board of Neurological Surgery was approved as a new examining Board in medical specialties in 1940 by action of the Advisory Board for Medical Specialties [reorganized in 1970 as the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)] in collaboration with the AMA Council on Medical Education. On August 15, 1940 the ABNS was incorporated. N. B. Burdete, N. C. Evans, and W. W. Downing served as signatories. Directors of the corporation were designated as those individuals in attendance at the second preliminary meeting.

The first official meeting of the ABNS was held in Chicago on October 17, 1940. Twenty-four candidates for certification were examined. The 100th official meeting was held September 23 to 26, 1986, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The 50th anniversary meeting was held in Boston, Massachusetts, May 15 to 18, 1990, at which time the 3672nd Diplomate was certified.

Aims and Purposes
The broad aim of the American Board of Neurological Surgery is to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards, and advance the science of neurological surgery and thereby to serve the cause of public health.

The primary purposes of the American Board of Neurological Surgery are to conduct examinations of candidates who voluntarily seek certification, and to issue Certificates to those who meet the requirements of the Board and satisfactorily complete its examinations. Certification by the ABNS is based on review and evaluation of the applicant's educational, training, and practice qualifications, as well as successful completion of written and oral examinations. In addition, the Board, along with the Residency Review Committee for Neurological Surgery (RRC) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), works to improving the standards of training in neurosurgical residency programs throughout the United States.

ABNS operations that flow directly from these primary purposes include:

1. Define requirements for training in neurological surgery
2. Develop and administer the Primary Examination
3. Evaluate the credentials of candidates for certification, including professional practice
4. Develop and administer the oral examination
5. Issue certificates
6. Define the requirements for Maintenance of Certification (MOC) in neurological surgery

A certificate, once granted, is verification of the completion of educational, peer review, and examination processes. The Board certifies as specialists in neurosurgery only those who voluntarily petition it for the purpose of evaluation and certification.

The ABNS is not concerned with the acquisition of special privileges in the practice of neurosurgery for its Diplomates. It does not define requirements for membership on the staff of any hospital, university, or clinic, nor does it attempt to designate who shall perform any neurosurgical procedure. It specifically disclaims interest in or recognition of any differential remuneration which may be based on certification. Its Certificates do not confer any legal degree of qualification, privilege, or license to practice neurosurgery. The ABNS does not intend to interfere with or limit the professional activities of any duly licensed physician whom it has not certified.