Definition of Pediatric Neurological Surgery

Pediatric neurological surgery is a discipline of medicine and the specialty of neurosurgery which deals with the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of disorders of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems of children. Pediatric neurological surgery includes the evaluation and diagnosis, operative and non-operative treatment, critical care and rehabilitation of children with disorders of the nervous system.

Mission of the ABPNS

The broad aim of the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery is to encourage the study, improve the practice and elevate the standards of pediatric neurological surgery, and thereby to advance the cause of public health.

History of ABPNS

In order to establish and codify the optimal training and practice requirements for pediatric neurosurgeons, forty senior pediatric neurosurgeons from the USA and Canada met in Chicago in the early summer of 1991.  By unanimous vote, they founded the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery (ABPNS) to fulfill these functions.  Subsequently, the Accreditation Council for Pediatric Neurosurgical Fellowships (ACPNF) was created to oversee and regulate pediatric neurosurgical fellowship programs. 

Certification and Recertification

In an effort to reduce the burden and time commitment of the certification and recertification processes, the ABNS and ABPNS is committed to merging the certification process, as well as the continuous certification process (formerly known as MOC) for pediatric and adult certification.

The ABPNS has established a new process in collaboration with the ABNS and the RCPS(C) for certifying pediatric neurosurgeons who have completed an ACPNF-accredited fellowship. Although slightly different for those seeking ABNS and those certified by the Royal College, the process of pediatric certification contains the same basic components. These include a written examination, submission of a practice case log, and an oral examination including questions based on the applicant’s case log.

The ABNS-ABPNS and the ABPNS-RCPSC joint certificates are ten year time limited. Diplomates will be responsible for participating in a Continuous Certification (CC) process via the ABNS/ABPNS. Ten years after initial certification, Diplomates are required to undergo mandatory recertification. Those seeking recertification will now need to submit application and 12 month case log demonstrating at least 65 pediatric (age 21 and under) surgical cases. Additionally, proof of active participation in the ABNS CC process will need to be provided. This is in lieu of a written examination.