Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find distressing.
A simulation vividly illustrates the extraordinary event when a man performed an appendectomy on himself in Antarctica, an ordeal not for the faint-hearted.
Leonid Rogozov, a Russian surgeon, encountered a dire situation during an Antarctic expedition.
As depicted in a simulation video by YouTuber Zack D Films, Rogozov realized he was suffering from appendicitis, a diagnosis he made himself.
Rogozov was part of the sixth Soviet Antarctic expedition tasked with establishing a new base at the Schirmacher Oasis.
After completing the setup of Novolazarevskaya Station in February 1961, the team settled in to endure the harsh winter.
At 27, Rogozov began experiencing fatigue, nausea, and discomfort in his abdomen’s right side.
Realizing the lack of medical evacuation options, he enlisted his fellow researchers in an almost unthinkable endeavor.
The daunting task of performing surgery on himself.
Rogozov’s son, Vladislav, shared with the BBC: “Being a surgeon, he had no difficulty in diagnosing acute appendicitis.
“It was a condition he’d operated on many times, and in the civilised world it’s a routine operation. But unfortunately, he didn’t find himself in the civilised world – instead he was in the middle of a polar wasteland.”
Determined to avoid a burst appendix, Rogozov decided to operate on himself.
He instructed his team to assist by holding a mirror to guide his view, and by managing the surgical instruments and lighting.
While he could apply a local anesthetic to his abdominal wall, he had no relief once inside.
He recounted in a letter: “My poor assistants! At the last minute I looked over at them. They stood there in their surgical whites, whiter than white themselves.
“I was scared too. But when I picked up the needle with the novocaine and gave myself the first injection, somehow I automatically switched into operating mode, and from that point on I didn’t notice anything else.”
The simulation depicts Rogozov requesting the mirror’s removal due to a distorted view, opting instead to rely on touch to locate his appendix.
Near the conclusion of the surgery, he “injured the blind gut and had to sew it up,” nearly fainting in the process.
The operation, lasting two hours, was successful. Rogozov then allowed himself antibiotics and sleeping tablets after his team sanitized the tools and cleaned up.
Amazingly, he resumed his duties two weeks later.
Despite his quick recovery, he remained in Antarctica for two more years due to disrupted ship schedules.
Upon returning to Russia, he promptly resumed his hospital work the next day and was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour for his bravery.