Research Interests

Evidence-based Neurosurgery

Improving the quality of clinical research in neurosurgery has been a consistent theme throughout my career. Beginning with the documentation of methodological inadequacy of much of the clinical research literature in neurosurgery and the dissemination of information on the application of more modern and appropriate techniques, this interest has broadened, in parallel with the development of clinical epidemiology and evidence-based medicine, into the application of the principles of evidence-based medicine to neurosurgery. Current work continues the emphasis on dissemination with recent publication about methods of teaching evidence-based neurosurgery to clinically active neurosurgical residents and ongoing work on a text of principles and examples of evidence-based neurosurgery, as well as promoting departmental participation in clinical trials. Future interests include the development of small sample size analysis techniques and methodologically rigorous determination of indications for and safety of neurosurgical procedures.

Neurosurgical Infection

A second theme running through my research career has been the clinical investigation of neurosurgical infection. Studies have included risk factors for neurosurgical infection, neurosurgical antibiotic prophylaxis, and the clarification of the role of propionibacter acnes in shunt infection.