Main description:

A notable surgeon and charismatic teacher himself, Professor Ellis has brought together in Operations that Made History a fascinating collection of renowned surgical procedures, each one illustrating a different aspect of the history of surgery. The first section of the book looks at examples of surgical procedures which have made a major contribution to the history of surgery, such as the first successful gastrectomy, performed in Vienna over a hundred years ago by Theodor Billroth. Some operations, whilst in themselves minor procedures, have nevertheless had a massive impact on the history of surgery. These are grouped together in the second section. In the final part of the book, Professor Ellis focuses on the famous patient, such as Nelson and George IV. In surgery, as in fields of human activity, history is forgotten at our peril. Operations that Made History gives its readers a unique insight into a remarkable speciality, using the lessons of history to instruct as well as amuse.

Contents:

Introduction; Part I. Major Breakthroughs: 1. The first ovariotomy; 2. Ligation of the abdominal aorta; 3. Ruptured ectopic pregnancy; 4. The first successful gastrectomy; 5. Splenectomy for rupture of the spleen; 6. Renal transplantation; Part II. Innovations: 7. 'I dressed the wound and God healed him'; 8. The birth of anaesthesia; 9. The compound fracture; 10. Electrosurgery; Part III. Famous Patients: 11. Queen Caroline's umbilical hernia; 12. Lord Nelson's amputation; 13. The sebaceous cyst of George IV; 14. Henry Thompson and two royal bladder stones; 15. The appendiceal abscess of Edward VIII; 16. The empyema of George V; 17. The pneumonectomy of George VI; 18. Envoi.