title: Who has been hiding in your tonsillectomy tray? Eponymous instruments in tonsillectomy surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgeons regularly use eponymous instruments when performing tonsillectomies, yet the stories behind each are not commonly known.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This paper presents the instruments within the tonsillectomy tray, providing a brief biography of their respective surgeon namesakes. The list captures over two centuries of surgical history, and spans the disciplines of ENT, general surgery, gynaecology, anaesthetics and paediatric surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first publication to undertake a historical study of the ensemble of surgeon inventors responsible for the instruments in the tonsillectomy tray as it is today. In furthering knowledge of our forbearer surgeon inventors, who have shaped the tonsillectomy procedure as it is safely performed today, we enrich our understanding of the history of our profession and build appreciation for the instruments employed daily. We may even be inspired to continue the tradition of evolving the craft.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,The Townsville Hospital,Douglas,Australia.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Lamprell
authors: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,The Townsville Hospital,Douglas,Australia.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Ahluwalia
mesh_terms: D004850:Eponyms; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000266:history*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000266:history / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: History of Medicine