A history of tendon operations.
The pendulum of arguments and popular operations swings back and forth, anchored to the problem of tendon healing and adhesions. The following passage, commenting on tendon repairs done by a famous 17th century surgeon, from the Course of Chirurgical Operations by Dionis in 1710, has relevance for history and the future of tendon operations. . . . When M. Bienaise, one of the most famous Chirurgeons of Paris, began the Performance of this Operation about fifty years past, it pass'd for his Invention; of which he reap'd all the Honor and it all the Charms of Novelty; but on Examination it appearing that it had been talk'd about two thousand years before he hit on it, it was consequently discover'd he only reviv'd an Ancient Practice of the Greeks, and that Guido and several others had practised it. 'Tis indeed true, twas grown obsolete, he brought it into use again, and we are oblig'd to him for having try'd it on his Dogs, after that employ'd on Men, and then encouraging us to the performance of an Operation which prevents the laming of a great many wounded patients.
Chick
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LR
Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655.
Walton
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RL
D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology