The First Ligation of the Abdominal Aorta

Abstract

To operate on the abdominal aorta is difficult enough today, even with all the appurtenances of the modern operating theatre. Yet the first time this was performed, as an emergency by Astley Cooper of Guy's Hospital in 1817, it was carried out without any form of anaesthetic, in the patient's bed, at night and therefore, presumably, by lamp light.