Ralph Bingham Cloward (1908-2000): Spine Polymath

World Neurosurg. 2016 May:89:562-7. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2015.06.061. Epub 2015 Jul 4.

Abstract

Dr. Ralph Bingham Cloward, an American neurosurgeon, revolutionized the field of modern spine surgery with his lifelong innovative and pioneering contribution. He described the posterior lumbar interbody fusion and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. He engineered more than 100 instruments, which shared his intellect and wisdom to the neurosurgery and orthopedic fraternity across the globe. He was also the first person to set up a bone bank in the United States. He rightfully deserves the title "Michelangelo of neurosurgery" for his exceptional work.

Keywords: Anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion; Diskography; Instruments; Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF); Ralph Bingham Cloward.

Publication types

  • Biography
  • Historical Article
  • Portrait

MeSH terms

  • Americas
  • Diskectomy* / history
  • Diskectomy* / instrumentation
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Neurosurgeons / history*
  • Spinal Fusion* / history
  • Spinal Fusion* / instrumentation

Personal name as subject

  • Ralph Bingham Cloward