Ancient Egyptian the First Neurosurgeon in the History

Momen M.Almamoun

MD.Neurosurgery

The possibility of removing the brain through the nose without disfiguring the face was already known to the ancient Egyptians, who were experts in using this approach in the mummification process

similar route through the nose and the sphenoid bone has been developed in the last century as a surgical procedure for the treatment of tumors of the pituitary region, which makes the more invasive

craniotomy unnecessary in most cases. This has resulted in a significant decrease of the overall mortality and morbidity rates and has led to the great popularity of such minimally invasive surgery both for patients and doctors.which  has contributed to a new renaissance of this old treatment modality.  (Cappabianca & Divitiis, 2007).

Ancient Egyptian physicians were familiar with open, gaping wounds of the head sustained from short range weapons in such cases they palpated the interior of the wound; if the bone was perforated and the dura found torn the case were considered incurable and was not treated.In cases of depressed or comminuted fracture in ancient Egypt , the initial laceration was extended, or in the abscenc of laceration, surgical exposure was accomplished with a cross incision free fragment of the bone was removed and the wound was dressed with lint soaked with worm wine and oil of rose placed against the dura, linen balls soaked in vinegar and oil of rose were then applied externally, the wound were drained with strips of silk and hemp , and the was bandaged over the dressing. The dressing was taken off in 3 to 4 days , and there after it was dressed every 2 days until the wound healed. (GURDJIAN, 1974).

It is not surprising, therefore, that some of the oldest descriptions of the brain, cerebrospinal

fluid, meninges, skull, and cranial sutures can be found in the Edwin Smith papyrus. In addition to direct observations of trauma and anatomy, Egyptian scholars appear to have been surprisingly observant, as shown when they discuss the relationship between injuries of the brain and spinal cord and their functional consequences in other parts of the body.

Case Thirty-Three: A crushed vertebra in his neck. Examination: If thou examinest a man having a crushed vertebra in his neck and thou findest that one vertebra has fallen into the next one, while he is voiceless and cannot speak; his falling head downward has caused that one vertebra crush into the next one; and shouldst thou find that he is unconscious of his two arms and his two legs because of it. (Conclusion follows in diagnosis). Diagnosis: Thou Shouldst say Concerning Him: “One having a crushed vertebra in his neck; he is unconscious of his two

arms (and) his two legs, (and) he is speechless. An ailment not to be treated.”

(GOODRICH, 2004).

ancient Egyptians recognized the existence of different spinal segments such as the cervical,

thoracic, and lumbar regions. Furthermore, the ancient Egyptians knew that these segments contained different vertebrae. They even described certain spinal physiological functions (Smith Cases 31, 33, and 48) (HM, 1999).  In this instance, we observe the first description of the spinal column and its substructures in an anatomically correct way (LANG & KOLENDA, 2002).

The Egyptians claim to have produced the earliest known practicing physician, Imhotep (3000 BC). The embalming practices of the Egyptians suggest that they knew a good deal about internal

anatomy, but how such knowledge affected their practice of medicine or surgery remains poorly understood. The first concept of the spine is introduced in the written literature by the hieroglyphic letter “djed,” which symbolized the spinal column.47 (Sanan & Rengachary, 1996) (GOODRICH, Cervical spine surgery in the ancient and medieval worlds, 2007)

 

A new textual analysis of the central religious aspect of the ancient Egyptian creation myth reveals

what appears to be a description of the oldest recorded neurosurgical operation, occurring circa 3000 BC. The analysis results in a hypothesis suggesting that traction reduction was used successfully to reverse a paralyzing cervical spine injury of an early Egyptian leader (Osiris), which inspired the story of his resurrection. The Egyptian mother god Isis, working with the god Thoth (the inventor of medicine), resurrects Osiris by treating his damaged cervical spine. Numerous references in the Papyrus of Ani (Book of the Dead) to Osiris regaining the strength and control of his legs are linked textually to the treatment of his spine. The connection between the intact spine and the ability to rise and stand is used as a distinct metaphor for life and death by the spinal representation of the “djed column” painted on the back of the numerous Egyptian sarcophagi for thousands of years. (FILLER, 2007).

 

(GURDJIAN, 1974)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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