Russian surgeon who operated on himself

• The Russian surgeon who operated on himself

Usually, when researchers go on a long journey, next to them is a doctor to assist if necessary. So, one of the participants of the Antarctic expedition in 1961 suddenly fell ill with the stomach on the right side, fever and vomiting appeared. There was no doubt, it's appendicitis. But ironically, it turned out to be ill surgeon, who usually monitors the health of their wards. He found the only way out of this situation - operated on himself.

the evening of April 29th surgeon Leonid Rogozov abiding in the Antarctic expedition, found himself all the signs of appendicitis. He tried to remove the painful symptoms by rest, antibiotics, applying a cold, but nothing helped. Raffle bad weather made it impossible to transport it to the desired station "Novolazarevskaya". Without much hesitation, Leonid took a resolute decision: to operate itself.

His assistants have become a meteorologist, a mechanic and the chief of the station, who had no idea about the operations. Leonid Rogozov quickly spent instructing each of them and even tried to reassure his comrades, who in terror eyes widened.

Leonid Rogozov after the operation at the station "Novolazarevskaya" other Yuri Vereshchagin.

Surgeons to perform surgery without gloves. Had to do everything by touch, ie. A. In the mirror, which was holding a mechanic, all reflected the opposite. The operation lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes. Half an hour after the start of the doctor began to rest every 4-5 minutes. Leonid forbade himself to think about what will happen if he does not handle it, and continued to work.

Pictures of Leonid Rogozova in the Soviet Union after his return from the expedition.

The surgeon performed all clear: cut out the appendix, injected antibiotics and sewed up the incision. A few days later, the temperature dropped, the young doctor felt better and took the seams. This case was the only one in the medical practice, when a person himself cut out the appendix.