• Muhammad Hamza Shah, Wireko Andrew Awuah, Favour Tope Adebusoye, Arjun Ahluwalia, Joecelyn Kirani Tan, and Oday Atallah.
• Centre for Anatomy, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom. Electronic address: mshah03@qub.ac.uk.
• World Neurosurg. 2024 Sep 1; 189: 132137132-137.

AbstractSir William Macewen, a Scottish surgeon, made significant contributions to neurosurgery, beginning with his successful brain tumor resection in 1879. Born in 1848, Macewen's upbringing in a maritime family fostered a practical approach to learning. Macewen's pivotal brain tumor surgery demonstrated his adherence to antiseptic practices and precise localization techniques. Controversy arose regarding his precedence in neurosurgery, which he addressed through meticulous documentation and public presentations. His diagnostic prowess extended to cases of cerebral abscesses and intracranial conditions, relying on clinical observations rather than imaging technology. His 1893 monograph on brain infections remains influential in neurosurgery. Beyond neurosurgery, Macewen was innovative in asepsis, hernia repair, and bone surgery. His legacy as a clinical educator and advocate for surgical advancements earned him widespread recognition. This historical review aimed to explore and evaluate the published literature regarding Macewen's early brain tumor surgeries, seeking to establish his precedence over later surgeons including Godlee and Bennett.Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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