The Development of Skull Base Surgery as a Discipline: Remembrances of Dr. Jon H. Robertson

Introduction: Skull base surgery is a young subspecialty currently led by its second generation of surgeons. There are a number of remarkable individuals from multidisciplinary specialties that have shaped skull base surgery into what it is today. The careers of first-generation skull base surgeons such as Jon H. Robertson, James T. Robertson, Gale Gardner, Edwin Cocke, and John Shea, Jr., and Jerrall Crook intersected in Memphis. This catalyzed the standardization of a multidisciplinary approach to cranial base pathology.

Objective: There is currently no literature about the history of skull base surgery that narrates the connection of the subspecialty's present to known historical figures of its past.

Method: An extended interview was held with Dr. Jon H. Robertson, who helped found the subspecialty in Memphis, to aid in identifying and connecting sentinel events and key figures in the development of the surgical discipline. A historical review of the founding of the multidisciplinary specialty is given in the framework of Dr. Robertson's personal account.

Result: In this account-based historical narrative, we discussing the intertwining careers of pioneer skull base surgeons and their pivotal contributions to the field. The field drastically evolved during Jon H. Robertson's era of practice (1975–present), with the advent of advanced imaging and technology, as well as the emergence of multidisciplinary skull base surgical teams. We report the findings of Jon H. Robertson’s extended interview, told against the backdrop of the history of the subspecialty.

Conclusion: Like neurosurgery, skull base surgery is a relatively young field that has made considerable advancements in recent years. The story of the development of skull base surgery is told from the unique perspective of one who helped to shape a pivotal segment in the historical timeline of the subspecialty.

Publication History

Article published online:
05 February 2024