SPECIAL INTERESTS

I currently perform approximately 70 brain tumour operations a year.  I chair the multidisciplinary brain tumour meeting at Princess Alexandra Hospital and we pride ourselves on excellent surgical outcomes.

I am a neurosurgical member for COGNO - the collaborative Australian research group for brain tumours meaning our patients can be participate easily in promising brain tumour trials.  Currently we have four trials running through Princess Alexandra Hospital.

It has been our opinion that with such vigilant dedicated treatment as we can provide through our multidisciplinary meeting that patients are doing much better than they have ever done before.  We will be studying this in the next year. The group includes neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiation oncologists, palliative care physicians, clinical nurses, occupational therapists, neuropsychologists, social workers and scientists all dedicated to the well being of our patients.

I currently perform a large number of pituitary operations at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Together the endocrinology team, radiologists, pathologists and radiation oncologists  all patients are discussed at the combined pituitary meeting each month.  This enables us to give each individual patient what we believe is the best care for them.

We have just begun public deep brain stimulation for disorders such as parkinsons disease, essential tremors and dystonia. Dr Hall an experienced neurosurgeon and I with Dr Boyle (neurologist) have begun this service. At this point in 2008 we are in the preliminary stages of providing a strong movement disorder service to patients.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a terrible condition for some patients and as neurosurgeons we can help.  I have studied the 200 microvascular decompressions for trigeminal neuralgia done at Princess Alexandra Hospital and found that 90% had an excellent outcome and were able to come off medication.  70% were still pain free at 10 years.

I am heavily involved in education of neurosurgery registrars and other personnel.  We have a very high percentage pass rate for the final exams which I hope partly is due to my weekly teaching at six am on Thursdays!
I believe that when our registrars (neurosurgeons in training) leave the hospital I work for they are a reflection of that hospital and their teaching.  I endeavour to make them very good and capable registrars.

I completed my masters in 2005 which won several prizes.  I continue to be involved in research with 6 studies running currently.  I endeavour to help set up trials and funding for neurosurgery trainees who spend one year in research of their six year training.