Best to know
Surgery has been practiced for thousands of years, evolving from crude procedures to sophisticated medical interventions. The earliest recorded surgeries date back to prehistoric times, with evidence found in ancient human skulls.
Trepanation: The Oldest Known Surgery (~7000 BCE)
The earliest form of surgery was trepanation, a procedure where a hole was drilled or scraped into the skull.
- Archaeologists have discovered prehistoric skulls with evidence of trepanation from as early as 7000 BCE in regions such as Peru, France, and Ukraine.
- Many skulls show signs of healing, indicating that patients survived the procedure.
- It is believed trepanation was performed to treat head injuries, epilepsy, or mental disorders, possibly as a ritual to release "evil spirits."
Ancient Egyptian Surgery (~3000 BCE)
- Ancient Egyptians had skilled physicians and surgeons who performed medical procedures using bronze scalpels, forceps, and sutures.
- The Edwin Smith Papyrus (dating back to 1600 BCE, but based on older knowledge) describes fracture treatments, wound stitching, and brain surgery.
- Egyptian doctors knew about anesthesia using herbs and honey for antiseptic purposes.
Surgery in Ancient India (~2500 BCE - 600 BCE)
- Sushruta, an Indian physician (often called the "Father of Surgery"), wrote the Sushruta Samhita (~600 BCE), which detailed over 300 surgical procedures.
- He described cataract removal, reconstructive nose surgery (rhinoplasty), and wound suturing.
Greek and Roman Contributions (5th Century BCE - 5th Century CE)
- Hippocrates (460–370 BCE) and Galen (129–216 CE) advanced surgical techniques, focusing on dissections and battlefield surgery.
- Roman military surgeons developed wound care, amputations, and bone setting.
Middle Ages & Beyond
- Islamic scholars like Al-Zahrawi (936–1013 CE) wrote detailed surgical manuals and invented medical tools.
- Renaissance (15th-16th century) brought scientific advancements in anatomy, improving surgery.
- 19th century saw the discovery of anesthesia (1846) and antiseptics (1867), revolutionizing surgery.
Conclusion
The first known surgery, trepanation, dates back over 9,000 years, but surgical knowledge significantly advanced with civilizations like Egyptians, Indians, Greeks, and Romans. Today, surgery continues to evolve with robotic and minimally invasive techniques.
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