2018 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting-702. Astronaut Michael Collins; Apollo 8 and the Anterior Cervical Fusion that Changed the History of the Human Spaceflight

702. Astronaut Michael Collins; Apollo 8 and the Anterior Cervical Fusion that Changed the History of the Human Spaceflight

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Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Richard Menger discusses the impact of a neurosurgical procedure on the history of human spaceflight in a video presentation. He focuses on astronaut Michael Collins and the Apollo 8 mission, which was initially compromised due to delays in developing the lunar module. Despite the risk, NASA decided to proceed with the mission using only the command service module. Collins' cervical myelopathy, a condition affecting his ability to walk, was diagnosed and treated with an anterior cervical fusion. This procedure allowed Collins to continue his career as an astronaut and participate in the Apollo 11 mission, although he did not set foot on the moon.

Asset Caption

Richard Menger, MD MPA

Keywords

neurosurgical procedure

human spaceflight

Michael Collins

Apollo 8 mission

cervical myelopathy