Auto surgery in Antartica

"Auto-Surgery: The Incredible Tale of Leonid Rogozov in Antarctica"

In 1961, during an expedition in Antartica amidst the cold war, the Russian surgeon Leonid Rogozov suddenly collapsed suffering acute abdominal pain. Quickly diagnosing himself with appendicitis, he found himself in a critical situation- he was the only doctor on the mission.

A Desperate Situation

The journey from Russia to the Antarctic had taken 36 days by sea, and the ship wouldn’t return until the next year. Flying was impossible due to the relentless blizzards.

Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix (a part of large intestine) that if left untreated might burst out its pus and cause generalized inflammation called peritonitis, a life-threatening condition.

An appendicectomy, although a simple yet a top emergency surgery that normally takes less than 30 minutes to complete, requires general anesthesia, medical tools and a medical staff.

The Courage to Operate

It wasn't an easy decision for Rogozov. He knew if his appendix burst, it could kill him. And as he thought about what to do, his symptoms got worse.

He started the operation without any anesthesia, the pain of cutting yourself and touching your intestines is intolerable as he later described in his diary.

Initially using a mirror to see his intestines, Rogozov soon decided to rely on his bare hands to guide him through the operation. "He had to open his own abdomen to take his intestines out," recalls Vladislav, Rogozov’s son. "He didn't know if that was humanly possible."

A Daunting Task

Normally, this surgery should take 30 minutes if uncomplicated. However, this historic operation in Antarctica took nearly two hours

He nominated two main assistants to hand him instruments,, and hold a lamp. The station director was also in the room, in case one of the others became faint**.**

"He was so careful with his orders he even instructed them what to do if he was losing consciousness - how to inject him with adrenalin and perform artificial ventilation," says Vladislav. "I don't think his preparation could have been better."

‘’My poor assistants! At the last minute I looked over at them. They stood there in their surgical whites, whiter than white themselves," Rogozov wrote later. "I was scared too. But when I picked up the needle with the Novocaine and gave myself the first injection, somehow I automatically switched into operating mode, and from that point on I didn't notice anything else’’

A Miraculous Success

Despite initially injuring his caecum and bleeding heavily, Rogozov finally found the appendix. It was swollen and was just a day away from bursting. After two long hours, he successfully removed the appendix and stitched himself up. Remarkably, after just two weeks, he was able to return to his normal duties.

Summary

Leonid Rogozov's incredibly brave decision to perform surgery on himself in Antarctica in 1961 was unprecedented and life-saving. His quick thinking in such a critical moment not only saved his life but also changed how expeditions prepare for emergencies in extreme places.

Rogozov's courage is a powerful example of human determination and resilience when faced with difficult challenges. His story continues to inspire people to face adversity with bravery and resourcefulness.