Dr. Hugues Duffau stands as a preeminent figure in contemporary neurosurgery, renowned for his innovative approaches to complex brain procedures. Born in Montauban on August 8, 1966, he completed his academic foundation with a Master's in Neuroscience from Paris VI University in 1996, followed by his medical degree in 1998 and neurosurgery specialization in 2001. His early career included significant positions at the prestigious Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, where he served as an assistant neurosurgeon and became clinical chief in 1999. Appointed Professor of Neurosurgery in 2006, he currently leads the Department of Neurosurgery at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier's Hôpital Gui de Chauliac, where he has established himself as a transformative leader in cerebral oncology and functional neurosurgery.
Professor Duffau pioneered the technique of awake brain surgery, revolutionizing the field of neuro-oncology through his innovative approach to tumor removal while preserving critical neurological function. His methodology, which involves detailed brain mapping during conscious procedures, has dramatically reduced the risk of severe disabling sequelae to less than 1 and achieving over 94 and glial tumors at INSERM Unit 1051, he has fundamentally advanced our understanding of cerebral plasticity mechanisms in relation to glioma progression. His research has demonstrated that patients undergoing his specialized surgical protocols experience tripled life expectancy compared to conventional approaches, establishing new global standards for quality of life preservation in neurosurgical oncology.
Beyond his clinical innovations, Professor Duffau has significantly shaped the neurosurgical landscape through his leadership roles in prestigious academic and medical institutions. He serves as a distinguished member of both the National Council of Universities and the National Academy of Surgery, influencing policy and educational standards across France. His exceptional contributions have been recognized with the Grand Prix de Cancérologie Chirurgicale from the National Academy of Surgery in 2011, alongside honorary doctorates from KU Leuven in 2013 and the University of Messina in the same year. Since 2008, he has coordinated the consolidation of all neurosurgery services at CHU Montpellier into a unified department, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration that continues to advance the field. Professor Duffau remains at the forefront of cerebral plasticity research, driving forward the next generation of neurosurgical techniques that promise even greater precision and patient outcomes in brain tumor treatment.
