Legends of Surgery

Tyler Rouse
  • 4.7 (248)
  • MEDICINE

This podcast takes an entertaining and informative approach to telling the stories of the people and events that make up the history of modern surgery.

  1. 07/14/2025

    Episode 116 - The Ilizarov Apparatus

    In this episode, we will cover Gavriil Ilizarov, the Soviet surgeon who created what is now known as the Ilizarov Apparatus, which is used to heal complex bone fractures and lengthen limbs. We'll discuss his life story, how he made his discovery, and its spread beyond the USSR. Along the way, we'll find out where the term 'quack' comes from, the origin of the word 'orthopaedics', and much more!

    17 min

  2. 06/14/2025

    Episode 115 - Sit up and take notice: The Fowler Position

    In this episode, we will talk about the Fowler position in surgery, its current and historical uses, the person behind the name, and the legend of its development. Along the way, we'll cover the origins of the Red Cross and Geneva Convention, the discovery of the pancreatic duct, and more. Enjoy!

    25 min

  3. 03/16/2025

    Episode 114 - "Troubled Masterpiece": The Controversial Pernkopf Atlas

    In this episode, we'll explore the history of the Pernkopf Atlas, an anatomy text used by surgeons and pathologists worldwide, as well as the life of it's creator, Eduard Pernkopf. He was a professor at the University of Vienna and avowed Nazi, and this link has made the use of his atlas controversial. We'll consider it's value to the medical world, and the ethics of it's use, both for and against, and learn of the history of it's creation. Warning: this episode does cover topics including the Holocaust that may be upsetting to some listeners.

    27 min

  4. 02/26/2024

    Episode 113 - Better know an instrument: Potts Scissors

    In this episode, we'll meet the person behind the eponymously named scissors, the American pediatric surgeon Willis J. Potts. We'll cover his contributions to the development of surgery specifically for children, and in particular the operations on the heart that he pioneered. There is also some trivia, and a new feature on etymology, so enjoy!

    22 min

  5. 12/12/2023

    Episode 112 - The Ongoing History of Surgery: The World's First Whole Eye Transplant

    In this episode, we will cover the recent story of (possibly) the world's first whole eye transplant that occured in May of 2023, as well as the story of a possible previous attempt in 1969, and the aftermath that followed. The show also has a new feature - trivia! And, we will explore the medical origins of the word 'bedlam'. Enjoy!

    17 min

  6. 11/15/2023

    Episode 111 - The Code of Hammurabi

    In this episode, we will explore the history of a nearly 4 millenia old slab of rock which has inscribed on it some of the oldest recorded laws in history, including some that dictated payments for operations, and some severe punishments for malpractice! Along the way, we'll also delve into the world of Babylonian medicine, discover the history of the caduceus, and, as a special bonus, cover a recent Nobel prize which has implications for surgery in an all new suture tale.

    17 min

  7. 02/03/2023

    Episode 110 - The Loch Ness Monster and The Surgeon's Photo

    In this episode, we will explore the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, as well as the surgeon behind a famous photograph of the beast, Robert Kenneth Wilson, a legend in his own right. And of course, we'll go on our usual tangents and side stories along the way!

    17 min

  8. 12/30/2022

    Episode 109 - Was Jack the Ripper a surgeon?

    In this episode, we will explore the question of the identity of the 19th century serial killer based in the London neighborhood of Whitechapel. Specifically, we will consider the evidence provided by some authors that the notorious killer was a Welsh-born surgeon named Sir John Williams. And of course, there will be a bit of interesting trivia along the way!

    17 min
See All (100)

4.7
out of 5
248 Ratings

About

This podcast takes an entertaining and informative approach to telling the stories of the people and events that make up the history of modern surgery.

Information

  • Creator
    Tyler Rouse
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Legends of Surgery

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