The main aim of neurosurgery is to provide the patient with the best possible care. However, high priority should also be given to active contributions to the advancement of neuroscience, of which neurosurgery is a part. Clinical neurosurgery is continuously expanding and the trend is towards increased neurosurgical manpower which in turn leads to an unavoidable dilution of surgical experience. Progress in neuroscience is impressive. It appears unlikely that a neurosurgeon will be able to master all aspects of clinical neurosurgery and actively participate in research. Subspecialization permits optimum qualification in any one area of neurosurgery with regard to surgical skill and research. Thus the above difficulties would be overcome and the demands of neurosurgery fully satisfied. Subspecialization should be regarded as an inherent part of the neurosurgical field rather than an independent biomedical discipline. All specialists should receive a solid, general neurosurgical training and, with only few exceptions, should practice within an organized clinical framework.