2015 Volume 25 Issue 3 Pages 302-307
Since the fall of 2004, I have had the good fortune to study abroad in 3 European countries and the United States. During 1 year and 3 months, I could learn various acoustic neuroma surgeries. In the first visit Marseille University, I met Professor Jacques Magnan who becomes my former teacher of my life. The big reason why I pursued a career as a lateral skull base surgeon is because I thought “I must somehow return the favor to him.” I returned to Japan with a specific goal in mind and then tried to put into practice what I have learned, but I came up against numerous hurdles. I have been trodden a thorny path in these 10 years, however, with a lot of collaboration from domestic and foreign leaders and colleagues, I could continue working up to the present day. It is nothing special to become a lateral skull base surgeon. However, you need to make efforts to learn various knowledge and skill. Also you need strong determination further. Lateral skull base surgery is boundary domain between otology and neurosurgery, from now on, a team surgery by both sides must become mainstream. A future theme will be “hearing regaining (regeneration)”, so there is no doubt that the importance of existence of otologists and otoneurosurgeons will increase.
