In memory of Dr. Bart Slooff, a driven neurosurgeon who was devoted to brachial plexus surgery and surgery of peripheral nerves, who died on May 29th, 2002

A tribute from his colleague, Dr. Gerhard Blaauw, Heerlen, The Netherlands

Bart Slooff, a member of a large, intellectual family, trained as a neurosurgeon in Amsterdam. His father was a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Nijmegen and several of his brothers also became medical professors.

In 1966 he commenced working in Heerlen in the south of The Netherlands at a large non-academic hospital, where he introduced many scientific aspects of neurosurgery. The early seventies saw the emergence of microneurosurgery which immediately fascinated him.

Thus he started to develop the technique of brachial plexus surgery, the first patients to be treated being adults. Although the results in these cases were modest he persisted, demonstrating a character trait which could also be found in his devotion to alpine sports: “We must strive to reach the mountain top!”

He soon realised that it was necessary to combine nerve reconstruction and the functional attitude of the rehabilitation physician together with the plastic surgeon and orthopedic surgeon. Hence the Brachial Plexus Work Group was born.

In 1986 he started to operate on obstetric cases, stimulated by Gilbert from Paris. He was elated over the results which contrasted favorably with adult cases. Soon he realised the need for a self help group and so, in collaboration with a number of parents, the Dutch Erbs Palsy Society (EPVN) was established. This society now has a considerable membership and is very active.

Because of health reasons he retired ten years ago at the age of 61. He maintained his interest in “brachial plexus work” attending meetings, stimulating research and publications and promoting international links via his numerous contacts with all his dear friends from the pioneering time of brachial plexus surgery. His creation: a bi-annual Workshop on Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy has gained international recognition. The seventh workshop will be held on February 23rd-25th, 2003 in Heerlen.

Bart was an important person to many patients, he succeeded in inspiring co-workers, he was an indefatigable idealist.

Dr. Slooff speaking at the National Brachial Plexus/Erb's Palsy Association, Inc. conference in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1997.

Photo courtesy of Brenda Copeland-Moore.