In Memoriam: A Memoir for Our Fallen “Heroes”

Abstract

Even though neurosurgeons exercise these enormous and versatile skills, the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the fabrics of the global neurosurgical family, jeopardizing human lives, and forcing the entire world to be locked down. We stand on the shoulders of the giants and will not forget their examples and their teachings. We will work to the best of our ability to honor their memory. Professor Harvey Cushing said: “When to take great risks; when to withdraw in the face of unexpected difficulties; whether to force an attempted enucleation of a pathologically favorable tumor to its completion with the prospect of an operative fatality, or to abandon the procedure short of completeness with the certainty that after months or years even greater risks may have to be faced at a subsequent session—all these require surgical judgment which is a matter of long experience.” It is up to us, therefore, to keep on the noble path that we have decided to undertake, to accumulate the surgical experience that these icons have shown us, the fruit of sacrifice and obstinacy. Our tribute goes to them; we will always remember their excellent work and their brilliant careers that will continue to enlighten all of us.

The international neurosurgical community was deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A considerable number of neurosurgeons passed away. This memorial is intended to commemorate our colleagues who succumbed during the first 4 mo. We have included those of whom we know (Table). We regret and apologize for any oversight.

TABLE.

Neurosurgeons Deaths due to COVID-19 (January 1-June 2, 2020)

Name	Age(yr)	Date of death	Country
Liu Zhiming	51	February 18	China
Shebl Abdelsalam	44	March 14	Egypt
Robin Humphrey	82	March 18	Canada
Hugo Diez Perez	62	March 20	Paraguay
James T. Goodrich	73	March 30	USA
Jorge Chica Ramirez	68	March 30	Ecuador
Jeanne PMR Winaktu	65	April 2	Indonesia
Jesus Vaquero Crespo	70	April 17	Spain
Simon Hercules	55	April 19	India
Sameh Zakaria	42	April 19	Egypt
Ronald Brisman	80	April 20	USA
Alexey Filippov	51	April 20	Russia
Francisco Brito Barrera	58	April 26	Mexico
Ronald Brisman	80	May 4	USA
Mahmoud Mahmoud El Hendawy	59	May 4	Egypt
Lukas Budiono Atmaji	78	May 5	Indonesia
Edilson Toshio Shoji	44	May 14	Brazil
Marino Purizaca Amaya	67	May 31	Peru
Tahir Khalili	38	June 2	Afghanistan

The first known and recorded death occurred in Wuhan, the epicentre of the pandemic. Dr Liu Zhiming was the Director of the Neurosurgical Department of the Third Municipal Hospital of Wuhan, which was among the first of the group of 50 hospitals designated for the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia. He operated on a pituitary tumor through trans-sphenoidal route. Many of those involved became COVID positive. He, too, became infected and died of respiratory failure in the ICU on February 18, 2020 at the age of 54 yr.

Dr Hugo Diez Perez from Paraguay was the first neurosurgeon outside China to die from COVID-19. He practiced at Baptist Medical Centre for 22 yr and was the founder of the Paraguayan Neurosurgery Society. He died on March 20, 2020 at the age of 57.

Dr James T. Goodrich, the American pediatric neurosurgeon, fell victim to COVID-19 on March 30, 2020 at the age of 73. He was the Director of the Division of Paediatric Neurosurgery and Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery, and of Paediatric, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Centre in the Bronx, New York. Dr Goodrich was well known for his series of operations performed on craniopagus twins, and was widely acknowledged for his expertise and teaching prowess.

Dr Jorge Chica Ramirez was an Ecuadorian pediatric neurosurgeon in Icaza Bustamante Hospital and an accomplished professional soccer player who died on March 30, 2020 of complications of the virus. Dr Chica was nicknamed as “The Doctor” while playing with Barcelona Sporting Club between 1974 and 1980 while studying medicine.

On April 2, 2020, Dr Jeanne PMR Winaktu, First Admiral (Ret.) of the Indonesian navy passed away at the age of 76. She was the second highest ranking officer in the Indonesian Navy. She was known as the “Mother of Neurosurgery” in Indonesia.

Two weeks later, on April 17, 2020, Jesus Vaquero Crespo died in Madrid, Spain of COVID-induced multi-organ failure. He was a pioneer in the treatment of medullary injuries. A Professor at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), he held the Chair of Neuroscience of the Rafael del Pino Foundation.

Dr Simon Hercules, the Managing Director of New Hope Hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in India died on April 19 at the Apollo Hospital after contracting the virus from a patient. Very sadly, local citizens vandalized the ambulance carrying his body for fear of contracting the virus, and he was buried in Velangadu by his colleagues.

Dr Alexey Filippov, age 51, head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the Alexandrovskaya Hospital died on April 26 at the S.P. Botkin Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital, St. Petersburg, Russia.

On the same day, Dr Francisco Brito Barrera of the Mexican Social Security Institute died in Cancun, aged 59. He had been looking after COVID-19 cases until a few days prior to contracting the disease.

Dr Ronald Brisman from Columbia University, recognized for his important and comprehensive contributions to the treatment of facial pain, and, coincidentally the father of 2 neurosurgeons passed away on April 20, 2020.

Others who succumbed included the Egyptian neurosurgeon Prof Mahmoud Mahmoud El Hendawy, Professor at the Al Azhar University in Cairo on May 4, Dr Lukas Budiono Atmaji, Senior Neurosurgeon and Lecturer at the Indonesia University in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 5, and Edilson Toshio Shoji, of the Hospital (Holy House) Santo Amaro in San Paolo, Brazil on May 14. Recently, 2 more neurosurgeons succumbed to COVID-19 on May 31 and June 2, respectively. Dr Marino Purizaca who worked in Ministry of Health, Sullana, Peru and Dr Tahir Khalili who worked in Pirzad Neurosurgery Hospital, in Afghanistan made the supreme sacrifice.

We would be remiss if we did not note the passing of neurosurgeons who died of other causes during the pandemic. They include Kazem Fathie, past President and Chair of the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopaedic Surgeons (AANOS) died on April 19, aged 91. Robin Paul Humphreys of Peterborough, Ontario in Canada, died of injuries sustained in a fall at age 82. He had been President of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery and the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. Sameh Zakaria died of glioblastoma in Egypt. Shebl Abdelsalam sustained a cardiac arrest.

The passing of each one of these individuals represents a loss to the profession, as well as to family, friends and colleagues. Our condolences go out to all who have suffered losses around the world. Although the pandemic appears to be on the wane in many locations, it is far from over. Neurosurgeons remain at the front line of patient care.¹ It is important for neurosurgeons to protect themselves and their families. We remember, commemorate, appreciate and celebrate those who have succumbed, and, no less, those who continue to risk the exposure incumbent on providing patient care generously, bravely, and at the level to which the neurosurgical community is accustomed.

Disclosures

The authors have no personal, financial, or institutional interest in any of the drugs, materials, or devices described in this article.