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Cesare Cavina (1888–1935): a father of transsphenoidal surgery

  • Review Article - History of Neurosurgery
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Abstract

Among the fathers of transsphenoidal surgery, a relevant role should be reserved for Cesare Cavina (1888–1935). He had the merit to develop and popularize in Italy this approach for pituitary tumors, performing 47 transsphenoidal hypophysectomies out of his personal series of 66 patients between 1927 and 1935. He contributed to this surgery by introducing radiological control of the surgical trajectory to reduce the risk of complications and increase the safety of this approach. We think that both his short lifespan (he died when he was 47 years old) and the language of his papers (Italian and not English) are two important factors that have contributed to forgetting his role in the history of transsphenoidal surgery. We think that Prof. Cesare Cavina is definitively one of the fathers of transsphenoidal surgery and that it is important to preserve his memory.

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Conflict of interest

All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

The authors state that the content of the submitting manuscript, in part of in full, has not been published previously and has not been submitting elsewhere for review. There is no financial support received in conjunction with the generation of this submission and no conflict of interest. The authors certify that this manuscript is a unique submission and is not being considered for publication with any other source in any medium.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Surgery for Pituitary Tumors and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy

    Giorgio Frank, Matteo Zoli & Diego Mazzatenta

  2. ENT Unit, Surgical Department, AUSL, Bologna, Italy

    Ernesto Pasquini & Giovanni Farneti

Authors
  1. Giorgio Frank
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  2. Matteo Zoli
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  3. Diego Mazzatenta
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  4. Ernesto Pasquini
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  5. Giovanni Farneti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matteo Zoli.

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Comment

This is a simple and nice contribution of historical value about Cesare Cavina, an eclectic Italian surgeon of the first half of the last century, who significantly contributed to the development of transsphenoidal surgery, mainly in Bologna. We appreciate the work of our contemporary Bologna group, who can be considered among the most brilliant innovators in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery with their seminal work on the endonasal approach to the cavernous sinus. No doubt Professor Cavina deserves this recognition and it is beautiful that it comes from visionary people as he was.

Paolo Cappabianca

Naples, Italy

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Frank, G., Zoli, M., Mazzatenta, D. et al. Cesare Cavina (1888–1935): a father of transsphenoidal surgery. Acta Neurochir 157, 913–918 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-015-2418-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-015-2418-4

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