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Surgeon stationed in Antarctica removes his own appendix (1961)

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Re: Surgeon stationed in Antarctica removes his own appendix (1961)

#21

Post by mbergins »

pavel_lishin wrote: post #18
aarongough wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't remember if it was mentioned in all honesty. There's no real reason that the incision need get infected if they were very careful. If I remember correctly the medic sterilized his instruments, himself and the patient with alcohol or some sort of solvent. I have a friend who lived in the Yukon (north edge of Canada) for many years. He slashed his leg open with a knife accidentally while working one day, but he…

Sure, but an appendectomy implies that the appendix itself is inflamed and infected, right? Seems like it could easily spread to the blood. Not to mention working near the intestines, that are full of bacteria as it is. Sounds like sepsis city to me. Then again, like you said, he could have just been pouring alcohol on the whole thing the entire time.

The article mentions that antibiotics were applied while the wound was open.

Re: Surgeon stationed in Antarctica removes his own appendix (1961)

#22

Post by jrockway »

This leads to a related question. Assuming you're in a situation where it's your best option, what's the best way to kill yourself without tools? I assume dying of dehydration / exposure is not particularly enjoyable, and a set of circumstances might exist where it would be better to get it over with...

(See below for the link to the guy that cut his arm off to avoid dying. I don't think I would be able to make it through the bone, so I would like to have this option filed away in case I need it some day :)

Re: Surgeon stationed in Antarctica removes his own appendix (1961)

#23

Post by quizbiz »

frossie wrote: post #6

Many years ago (early 90s?) I looked into a job in Antarctica. The job stipulated that you had to preventatively remove your appendix prior to your tour of duty to avoid exactly this situation. I believe they also wanted you to replace your dental fillings (replacing the metal with a composite substance) to avoid problems caused by the cold (I assume). It was all rather irrelevant to me in the end since I discovered…

I just want to point out that based on personal experience last week, preventative surgery to remove your appendix is no longer preformed.

Re: Surgeon stationed in Antarctica removes his own appendix (1961)

#25

Post by bad_user »

aarongough wrote: post #3

That is crazy. I don't think I would have the stomach for that myself, but I guess being a surgeon already would help. I remember a related story of and Aussie medic imprisoned in a Japanese POW camp successfully removing the appendix of a fellow prisoner with only a shard of broken glass. Personally, I just hope I am never in a position like that.

Removing the appendix I guess one could do with a broken glass ... but how did he closed the wound?

Re: Surgeon stationed in Antarctica removes his own appendix (1961)

#26

Post by DenisM »

jrockway wrote: post #22

This leads to a related question. Assuming you're in a situation where it's your best option, what's the best way to kill yourself without tools? I assume dying of dehydration / exposure is not particularly enjoyable, and a set of circumstances might exist where it would be better to get it over with... (See below for the link to the guy that cut his arm off to avoid dying. I don't think I would be able to make it th…

Bite off your tongue and you will bleed to death. Especially valuable advice if you're tied up.
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