Legends of Surgery

Latest Episodes:

Episode 40 - Better know a procedure: the Roux-en-Y Apr 07, 2017

Show notes

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 types of procedures.

Episode 39 - Dr. Theodor Billroth: Father of Abdominal Surgery Mar 24, 2017

Show notes

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!

Episode 38 - International Women's Day Edition Mar 10, 2017

Show notes

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!

Episode 37 - Black History Month Edition Feb 24, 2017

Show notes

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 more!

Episode 36 - Groundhog Day Edition Feb 10, 2017

Show notes

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!

Episode 35 - Dr. William Halsted: Father of American Modern Surgery Jan 27, 2017

Show notes

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 profession, changing the way surgery is done and taught almost single-handedly. And of course, we'll take a few side roads, looking at the history of Johns Hopkins and cocaine, and more!

Episode 34 - Space: The Final Surgical Frontier? Jan 13, 2017

Show notes

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!

Episode 33 - Transposition of the Great Vessels Dec 16, 2016

Show notes

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!

Episode 32 - Blalock and the Blue Babies Dec 02, 2016

Show notes

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 time, but is now held in high esteem at Johns Hopkins.

Episode 31 - Operating on the President: Election Day Edition, Part 2 Nov 21, 2016

Show notes

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!

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