Tom Chapman and the Glasgow Punch

Abstract

Thomas Lightbody Chapman (1903 – 1966) founded the urological department at the Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow. After travelling to the Mayo Clinic in America to learn the new technique of punch prostatectomy he brought that procedure back to Glasgow.

The prostatic punch required skill to master but could be successful in the right hands. Chapman was a great teacher who used innovative techniques to educate his students in the skills of punch prostatectomy. These included a training model where the trainee surgeon could be observed punching out a phantom prostate and a cine-film using both live action and animation to demonstrate the technique. Keen to share his enthusiasm for the punch prostatectomy he organized a meeting of like-minded urologists, a group which became the Punch Club, a travelling urology club still active today.

Tom Chapman was a colourful and dynamic individual, devoted to his work and his patients. His name will be remembered as being almost synonymous with the punch prostatectomy in Great Britain.