Galen: The First Cardiac Surgeon?

Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2021 Jan;69(1):8-9. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1716568. Epub 2020 Oct 30.

Abstract

It is widely believed that the first and the second pericardium surgeries were done in the nineteenth century by Francisco Romero and Dominique Jean Larrey, respectively; however, Galen was the first surgeon who proceeded with pericardiectomy. This ancient case report of sternum osteomyelitis and pericardiectomy illuminates some dark part of the history of medicine and the ability of physicians in that era.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Heart Diseases / history*
  • Heart Diseases / surgery
  • History, Ancient
  • Humans
  • Osteomyelitis / history*
  • Osteomyelitis / surgery
  • Pericardiectomy / history*
  • Sternum* / surgery
  • Surgeons / history*