The doctor had his own appendix surgery between Antarctica, the historic operation that made the whole world admire

During an expedition to Antarctica 57 years ago, Dr. Leonid Ivanovich Rogozov had his own appendix surgery to make the whole world admire.

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On November 5, 1960, Leonid Ivanovich Rogozov left Leningrad (the former Soviet Union) and 12 other explorers to Antarctica on the Ob. After a few weeks to Antarctica, Rogozov had a high fever, vomiting with severe pain in the lower right corner of the abdomen. The doctor knew that he had appendicitis.

The doctor had his own appendix surgery between Antarctica, the historic operation that made the whole world admire Picture 1
Doctor Leonid Ivanovich Rogozov.

In the middle of the distant Antarctica, the only person trained was Rogozov, so he knew that no one could help him but himself. At first, Rogozov tried to give up, but the aggravated pain forced Rogozov to make the only idea he could think of was to self-operate.

Rogozov shared in his diary: " It's almost impossible, but I can't wait for my arms to die."

On the night of April 30, 1961, Rogozov planned to carry out the surgery for himself. Rogozov asked the members of the expedition to arrange an operating room with a bed, two tables, a lamp. He assigned the task and instructed people how to put the lights, keep the mirrors so he could see what he was doing. There will be two main assistants with the surgical instrument for him. Besides, Rogozov also instructed them how to inject drugs and artificial respiration in case he lost consciousness.

2:00 am May 1, 1961, the history surgery started, Rogozov injected himself into the abdominal area for local anesthesia. 15 minutes later, at Rogozov appendicitis site, a 10-12 cm line was inserted on his abdomen.

Rogozov said: "I'm afraid too. But when I hold an anesthetic needle and inject myself, I somehow switch to work mode and don't notice anything."

The doctor had his own appendix surgery between Antarctica, the historic operation that made the whole world admire Picture 2
Dr. Rogozov performed an appendix on his own.(Photo: Vladislav Rogozov.)

For every 4-5 minutes, Rogozov rested for 20-25 seconds. Although there are mirrors, it does not help much because everything is displayed in reverse. Therefore, Rogozov still had to feel his gut by feeling through his bare hands. After 45 minutes, Rogozov was exhausted and dizzy, so he stopped the surgery for a few minutes. At that time, all the members of the delegation were there frightened.

Rogozov continued his surgery and at the end he cut the appendix and succeeded in abdomen.I was horrified to see a piece of black intestine. So if I leave another day, my appendix will break. '

Rogozov instructed his colleagues to help him clean up, throw away surgical equipment and take sleeping pills. The young doctor shared: "I thought that it would end badly. Then I realized, basically, I was saved."

Rogozov removed only the incision a week later and returned to the task at the research station after two weeks of surgery.

More than a year later, Rogozov and his colleagues left Antarctica. Rogozov's historical surgery is considered the first case of successful self-surgery in harsh environments. Rogozov became a symbol of determination and survival.

Dr. Rogozov died at the age of 66.