Lessons from the life of Asia’s first female neurosurgeon for modern neurosurgical trainees and educators worldwide

Abstract

Surgical specialties, and particularly neurosurgery, have historically had and continue to have poor representation of female trainees. This is especially true of South Asia, considering the added social and cultural expectations for women in this region. Yet it was in India, with its difficult history of gender relations, that Asia’s first fully qualified female neurosurgeon, Dr. T. S. Kanaka (1932–2018), took root, flourished, and thereafter played an integral role in helping develop stereotactic and functional neurosurgery in the country. While a few biographical accounts of her exist, highlighted here are the lessons from her illustrious life for neurosurgical trainees and educators worldwide, along with the instances that exemplify those lessons, drawn from several hitherto unutilized primary sources. These lessons are consistent with the factors identified in previous systematic reviews to be contributing to gender disparities in neurosurgery. Many of the virtues that ensured her success are attributes that continue to be critical for a neurosurgical career. Additionally, the circumstances that helped Kanaka succeed have been recounted as considerations for those working to promote diversity and inclusion. Finally, her life choices and sacrifices are described, which are underexplored but relevant concerns for women in neurosurgery.

Women in Neuromodulation: Innovative Contributions to Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery

“…Under the guidance of Prof. B Ramamurthi she gained her Ph.D. degree researching stereotactic surgery for cerebral palsy and later joined the Madras Institute of Neurology which soon became the center of stereotactic surgery in India (Ozair et al, 2021 ). Within 15 years Dr. Kanaka and her colleagues performed more than 1,700 surgeries treating involuntary movements, behavioral disorders, psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, and spasticity (Ramesh et al, 2015 ).…”

“…She also performed studies researching cingulotomy in drug addiction and hypothalamotomy in hyperkinetic behavioral disorders (Balasubramaniam et al, 1973 ; Kanaka and Balasubramaniam, 1978 ). Dr. Kanaka was also the first neurosurgeon who performed chronic deep brain stimulation in India (Ozair et al, 2021 ).…”

“…During her residency, she was denied training by the chief resident and it also took several tries for her to pass the exit exam. To support female neurosurgeons across Asia she founded the Asian Women’s Neurosurgical Association in 1996 together with Yoko Kato, the first professional female neurosurgeon in Japan (Ozair et al, 2021 ).…”