Cronus Syndrome in Neurosurgical Hospital Settings

The *Cronus Syndrome* is an unofficial but conceptually useful term derived from Greek mythology, used in organizational psychology and healthcare settings to describe destructive hierarchical behaviors driven by fear of replacement.

Cronus, the Titan god, devoured his children to prevent them from overthrowing him—just as he had done to his own father. Only Zeus survived, eventually defeating Cronus.

In modern neurosurgical departments, the *Cronus Syndrome* refers to senior professionals obstructing the growth or visibility of younger colleagues or trainees, perceiving them as threats rather than collaborators.

• Insecurity-driven sabotage of residents, fellows, or junior staff.
• Non-disclosure of knowledge or opportunities (e.g., blocking OR access, scientific authorship, or networking).
• Control behaviors, such as infantilizing capable colleagues or refusing delegation.
• Resistance to innovation, particularly if proposed by younger team members.
• Fear of succession, leading to retention of obsolete practices.

• A senior consultant refusing to let a skilled resident lead a surgery.
• Withholding complex cases or research projects to avoid being outshined.
• Sabotaging the participation of junior doctors in conferences or publications.

• Reduced motivation among younger professionals.
• Toxic departmental culture with impaired knowledge transfer.
• Delays in the adoption of new technologies or evidence-based practices.
• Increased burnout and turnover rates.

• Establishment of structured mentorship programs.
• Transparent criteria for academic and surgical advancement.
• Regular anonymous evaluations of leadership and training equity.
• Promotion of a culture of legacy, not supremacy, where senior surgeons are honored for preparing the next generation.

The Cronus Syndrome often goes unnoticed in prestigious institutions due to the apparent success of its bearers. However, true clinical excellence lies in empowering successors, not silencing them.