Use of Complex Systems Approach in Neurosurgery

Introduction: Complex systems are systems that are composed of multiple components and have certain attributes such as adaptation, nonlinearity, and emergence. Adaptation is the ability to adjust and learn from experience, nonlinearity represents changeability in the response to the initial conditions of the system, and emergence represents the unplanned development of order out of apparent chaos. Biological systems are considered complex adaptive systems.

Objective: Highlight the importance of a synthetic holistic research approach in neurosurgery.

Method: Within the field of neurosurgery, a reductionist approach has been used to study complex biological systems (e.g., cerebrovascular system). This approach has helped in advancing our understanding of certain aspects of these systems but failed to explain their behavior. This reductionist approach defines the behavior of a system through the sum of the function of its components, which represents a major flaw as the behavior of complex systems emerges from the dynamic interaction of their components with each other and with the environment.

Result: A complex systems approach requires identifying the system's components, interdependencies, and feedback loops. It also requires complex mathematical modeling to depict the dynamics of the system (e.g., geometrical and mechanical states). In addition, advanced computation is necessary for data processing.

Conclusion: Using a complex systems paradigm in the field of neurosurgery will expand our understating of the archetypes of the central nervous system and enable us to understand its behavior, which can bring concepts like personalized medicine into reality.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
15. Februar 2022