The Surgeon Who Removed His Own Appendix

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/03/antarctica-1961-a-soviet-surgeon-has-to-remove-his-own-appendix/72445/

by J3L2404 • 15 years ago

75 7 15 years ago

theatlantic.com

RiderOfGiraffes• 15 years ago

Some discussion from when this was posted just over a year ago:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1053148

Includes several references to equally incredible/bizarre feats.

6ren• 15 years ago

An advertisement on AU TV featured a layman (not a surgeon) who attempted his own appendectomy. He didn't complete it himself (rushed to hospital) but an interview clip with a surgeon said he had performed other operations before, and "his technique was pretty good". I really enjoyed hearing his appreciation. I have no idea if this is online somewhere, but it was an ad. for medical insurance.

doki_pen• 15 years ago

Not that this isn't amazing, but is it really toughness and bravery to do what's necessary to save your own life?

koenigdavidmj• 15 years ago

Staying conscious through that is enough of a feat in itself.

jeffdavis• 15 years ago

"Not that this isn't amazing, but is it really toughness and bravery to do what's necessary to save your own life?"

Yes.

jackdavies79• 15 years ago

Personally I find shaving in the mirror challenging :-)

piramida• 15 years ago

now imagine the same in antarctica, when drunk, without a sharp blade (no electric razor ofc) and no light :) add extreme pain that can drop you unconscious at any moment... some serious preparation would be needed, hard to imagine what he must have been going through.

The Surgeon Who Removed His Own Appendix

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