ArtiFacts: Built for Speed-Robert Liston's Surgical Technique (original) (raw)
Robert Liston (1794-1847) held a (well-earned) reputation as the fastest surgeon of his time. One contemporary recalled of Liston: “It is told that when he amputated, the gleam of his knife was followed so instantaneously by the sound of the bone being sawn as to make the two actions appear almost simultaneous” [7]. Before each of his procedures, he told the observing medical students, “Now gentlemen, time me” [6]. In at least one instance, the amputation took less than 30 seconds. He is better known, perhaps apocryphally, for accidently amputating a patient’s testicle in addition to his leg [1]. Another time, he allegedly performed a procedure with 300% mortality. Let me explain: A spectator dropped dead at the shock of being slashed with the surgical knife, an assistant succumbed to infection after part of his hand had been cut off as well, and of course, the patient who developed postoperative gangrene [3]. In short, he was remembered as the stereotypical cocky early 19th century surgeon who would not be above proclaiming a procedure a success despite leaving the patient dead on the table. However, Liston’s approach to amputation, and more importantly, to pain management, had a positive motive. His need for speed derived from empathy for his patients rather than from his ego.
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