Legends of Surgery

In this episode, we will discuss the impact of the physicians in the Arabic-Muslim Empire during a period sometimes referred to as the "Islamic Golden Age". In particular, the famous surgeon Al-Zahrawi will be covered, including his great work, the "Tasrif". We will cover the controversy over the extent of his contributions, and get into some details of his life and work.

In this episode, we'll cover the life of Dr. George Washington Crile, and American surgeon probably best known for the instruments that bear his name. We'll talk about his influential work on surgical shock, thyroid surgery and radical neck dissection as well as discuss his role in the founding of the Cleveland Clinic. There are also some interesting historical tidbits, including his role in the c...

In this second episode on Dr. Harvey Cushing, we will cover his career, starting at Johns Hopkins, his move to the Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston and experiences during World War I. His work on the pituitary gland and intracranial tumours is covered, and we'll look at his lasting legacy. 

In this first of two episodes on the titan of neurosurgery, we'll look at his beginnings including his early life, medical school and training, as well as his influential trip to Europe. We'll also cover some of his early impacts on neurosurgery, and of course, take a few side trips of discovery.

In this episode, we trace the ancient history of the rhinoplasty, or nose repair, through ancient Egypt and India to Renaissance Europe and on to modern times. Along the way we'll meet some famous surgeons and learn about their contributions, as well as take a detour to find out about syphilis! 

In this episode, we'll learn about the gastrointestinal surgery known as the Roux-en-Y procedure, and learn about the surgeon for whom it's named, Dr. Cesar Roux. As many people know this procedure from its use in weight loss operations, we will also take a brief look at the history of bariatric surgery and meet some of the early pioneers, as well as learn a little bit about a few of the different...

In this episode, we will cover the life and work of Dr. Theodor Billroth, one of the great 19th century surgeons. He not only invented the famous Billroth gastric surgeries, but also was an innovator in surgical education and research. In addition, we will briefly cover his mentor Dr. Berhnard von Langenbeck, and more!

In this episode, we will track the history of women in medicine and surgery from antiquity through to modern times, taking a closer look at a few extraordinary women. From the civil war, through the suffrage movement to world war I and beyond, we will learn more about the struggle that these early pioneers went through!

In this episode, we will take a look at the history of African Americans in surgery. We'll cover some of the first black surgeons during the Civil War, and how the war led to the development of Freedmen's Hospital. Dr. Daniel Hale Williams and what is thought to be the first known successful surgery on the heart will be reviewed. Finally, Dr. Charles Drew's life and works will be covered. And much...

In this episode, we'll cover the story of hypothermia in surgery, led by the surgeon Dr. Bill Bigelow. His experiments with animals, including groundhogs, trying to unlock the mysteries of hibernation, will also be covered. Finally, we'll learn the origins of Groundhog Day!

In this episode, we will follow the life story of Dr. William Halsted, from his origins in New York, to his drug addiction to cocaine and morphine, and his becoming one of the founding fathers of Johns Hopkins Medicine. We will cover not only his individual exploits in surgery, but also his vast influence on the turning of surgery in America from an unorganized almost self-taught job to a true pro...

In this episode, we shift gears a bit to look at a future area of surgery, and consider what it would be like to operate in space. We will consider a number of factors that will effect operating, and look at how some of the solutions that have been created have also had positive spin off applications for the terrestrially bound. Join me as we take a peek at the final frontier!

In this episode, we'll take a look at a congenital heart defect and the multiple operations that were developed to try to treat it. Along the way, we'll meet some giants of cardiovascular surgery and learn a bit more about them!

In this episode, we will learn about the famous cardiac surgeon Dr. Alfred Blalock, and his famous work on blue babies suffering from Tetralogy of Fallot. But maybe of even greater interest is the story of his lab assistant, Vivien Thomas, a man without formal medical training but who collaborated with Blalock, helping him to develop his surgical breakthroughs. He received little credit at the tim...

In the second part of this 2 part series, we'll cover the surgical history of three 20th century presidents. We'll also consider how their operations impacted history, and of course, take a few detours down some side roads of history!

In the next 2 episodes, we will take a look at some of the amazing stories involving presidents being operated upon, and the circumstances and outcomes of these. In the first instalment, we'll visit some of the earlier presidents, starting with the first, George Washington!

In this episode, we take on the controversial and strange subject of cephalosomatic anastomosis, better known as a head transplant. Although never done before in humans, there is both a surgeon and a patient willing to try this in the near future! We'll take a look at the surprising history of research in this area, as well as examine the research required to make this a reality. Be warned, this e...

In this episode, we learn the history of the Nobel prize, and meet the nine surgeons that have won the prestigious award, as well as describe their work. As well, we'll learn some interesting facts and stories behind the legends.

In this episode, we learn about the surgeon behind the common surgical procedure, the Graham patch. As well, we will here the story behind the discovery of the bacteria behind peptic ulcers, and meet a few other Nobel prize winners, as a prelude to Episode 28!

In this episode, we take a look at a commonly used medical device, the Foley catheter, by exploring the long and fascinating history of its development, as well as learn more about the surgeon that it was named for, Dr. Frederic Foley.

In honour of the 25th episode of Legends of Surgery, this podcast covers a bonus topic: looking at two of the patron saints of surgeons, Saints Cosmas and Damian. We cover their origin story and the miracle that is attributed to them and brought them to fame, at least in the medical world. Enjoy!

In this episode we will learn about the Canadian surgeon, Dr. Lucille Teasdale. Her tireless efforts on behalf of the Ugandan people were nothing short of heroic, but her story is not well known. It is a fascinating tale of dedication and bravery, and one worth telling.

In this episode, we will look back at how robots first entered the operating room, review the current state of surgical robots and consider possible future directions. As well, we'll find out about some of the pioneers of robotic surgery and learn about how some government agents contributed to their development!

In part two of the series, we will pick up where we left off, at the dawn of the age of laparoscopy. This episode will introduce some of the innovators that pushed forward the technology and we'll learn about some of the obstacles that they had to overcome. Finally, we will get to the present day, and set up for the third part in the series on the future of laparoscopy!

This is the first of a three part series exploring the history of laparoscopy, starting with the very earliest attempts to peer inside the human body, and leading up to the current day, with an eye to the future. This podcast will look at the evolution of endoscopy, including some of the pioneers that pushed the technology forward, and will end with the first laparoscopies performed on living pati...