Dangers in Surgery

Question 1

Which three main problems limited progress in surgery?

Answer 1

• Pain
• Infection
• Blood loss

Question 2

Why was pain a barrier to successful surgery in 1848?

Answer 2

• Alcohol (main pain killer) did not make patients unconscious
• Forced doctors to work quickly, therefore prone to more errors (could be fatal)

Question 3

Why was infection a major risk in 19th century surgery?

Answer 3

• Ignorance of infection
• Antiseptics did not exist then
• No hygiene during surgery: doctors worked in normal clothes, no gloves, unclean instruments
• Patients who survived operations died after from infections

Question 4

How was blood loss a critical issue in surgery?

Answer 4

• Obscured surgeon’s view: more errors
• Often led to shock or organ failure, further meant death
• Methods for restricting blood flow harmful (e.g. tourniquets and clamps caused nerve damage if used for too long)