Observations on aneurism of the abdominal aorta / [Alexander Monro].

  • Monro, Alexander, 1773-1859.
Date:
1827
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on aneurism of the abdominal aorta / [Alexander Monro]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    SURGICAL TREATMENT. Nature, in the case of obstructed aorta, has pointed out the most efficacious' means of curing aneurisms, which the surgeon should imitate, by passing his ligature around the vessel above the seat of the disease. To those who are conversant with the history of scientific sur¬ gery, the valuable observations of Sir A. Cooper on different aneurisms, and on the improved mode of treating those of the carotid and inguinal arteries, and of the abdominal aorta, which have been introduced by that distinguished surgeon, are fa¬ miliar. The case of obstructed aorta, which has been above de¬ scribed, cannot fail to be read with peculiar interest by the me¬ dical world at large, and by Sir Astley in particular. Nature had in this instance produced the same effects as the ligature which Sir Astley had thrown around the abdominal aorta, and has pointed out the accuracy of those principles, and the pro¬ priety of his attempt to save the life of one, who was weltering in his blood, and in the most imminent risk of immediate disso¬ lution. Combining together the results of the experiments of Sir A. Cooper upon dogs, (and which, it may be remarked, have been attended with similar results in the hands of others), and the cases which have fallen under the notice of Dr Goodison and of myself, there can be no doubt as to the safety and expediency, in certain cases, of throwing a ligature around the abdominal aorta. To Mr Tyrrell we are indebted for the following account of the manner in which Sir A. Cooper performed the operation. ft The patient’s shoulders were slightly elevated by pillows, in order to relax, as much as possible, the abdominal muscles; for I expected that a protrusion of intestines would produce embarrassment in the operation, and was gratified to find that this was prevented by their empty state, in consequence of the involuntary evacuation of the faeces. I then made an incision, # Vide Sir A. Cooper’s Lectures on Surgery, London, 1825.