Surgical history of the first documented Trans Abdominal hernia repair performed by the albanian physicians of Constantinople in the 18th century

Abstract

Abstract

Abdominal wall hernias are among the oldest surgical conditions known to mankind, and their evolving surgical treatment reflects the history of surgery itself. This article presents a lesser-known fact regarding the first documented transabdominal hernia repair performed by Albanian physicians in Constantinople during the 18th century. This remarkable account is chronicled by Demetrius Cantemir, the Prince of Moldova, who witnessed the procedure on his secretary. Cantemir, a noble and educated figure, detailed this unique technique in his manuscript "Incrementa atque Decrementa Aulae Othomanicae," written between 1714 and 1716 and later published in English by N. Tindal in 1734. This description provides the first complete account of the transabdominal hernia repair, occurring 170 years before it was described by Lawson Tait in 1880. Portions of this earlier account were highlighted by A.E. Nicolau, a Romanian surgeon, who brought it to attention in 2008. This article focuses on the entirety of the surgical procedure as described by Cantemir. 

Keywords: Hernia, Transabdominal Repair, Demetrius Cantemir, Surgery, Albania.