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Health

Interview: Confessions of a brain surgeon

By Amanda Gefter

17 May 2006

Âé¶¹´«Ã½. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Katrina Firlik

(Image: Kit Kittle)

What really goes on inside an operating room? If you suspect that neurosurgeons listen to their MP3 players and secretly enjoy sawing open skulls, you are right. Neurosurgeon Katrina Firlik set out to write the brain-surgery equivalent of Anthony Bourdain’s infamous restaurant trade exposé Kitchen Confidential, and has managed to provide a candid behind-the-scenes peek into the OR and the body’s most fascinating organ, which she describes as “soft like tofu”. Amanda Gefter talks to the woman who delves deep into grey matter

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