Abstract

Aim: This study has been designed whether the surgeons interest in the history of medicine even as a hobby has a positive contribution on their professional development, and carriers.

Material and Methods: In this study 4 different subjects were studied with Medical Historians- a) The first pediatric surgical atlas, Cerrahiye-i Ilhaniye written by Sabuncuoğlu Serafeddin in XVth century. b) Circumcision applications, and ceremonies in Ottoman Empire. c) Establishment phase of History of Hamidiye-i Etfal: First Children’s Hospital in Ottoman Empire, and documents published at the start of the 20^th century d) Documents of informed consent (hüccet) prepared for pediatric surgeries performed in Anatolia, relevant documents, and sources have been investigated.

Results: As a result of these investigations a) The manuscript “Cerrahiye-i Ilhaniye” is an important source which demonstrated important subjects of pediatric surgery, interventions, and surgical instruments used with colorful illustrations. Main subjects of pediatric surgery such as anorectal malformations, hypospadias, hydrocephalus, superfluous finger, inguinal hernia, circumcision, fused labia minora, cliteromegaly were described in the manuscript of Sabuncuoglu. Pediatric operations with demonstrative and colorful pictures as well as the designs of some original surgical instruments were presented. b) Circumcision room in Topkapi palace, surgical circumcision techniques, circumcision ceremonies in the palace and in public life were described in detail. c) The details of first modern childrens’ hospital in Ottoman Empire were presented with demonstrative pictures. The successful results of pediatric operations with low morbidity and mortality rates were described in detail. d) Informed consents (Huccet) signed before the operations were presented in detail. These documents,also gave us an idea about the children’s health and rights in Ottoman Empire.

Conclusion: According to this study the following remarks can be made. a) pediatric surgeons may have an idea about the oldest pediatric surgical atlas so-called “Cerrahiye-i Ilhaniye” with colorful operative miniatures. We may also learn the surgical procedures of 15^th century fort the treatment of low type anorectal malformations, distal hypospadias, fused labia minora, short frenulum of the tongue, clitoral hyperthropy, inguinal hernia, circumcision techniques etc. b) We also learned about the importance of circumcision and circumcision ceremonies of the Ottoman palace since it is closely related with the social life of the public, art performances, sportive activities. Circumcision ceremonies of the Ottoman palace give us an information about the importance of ritual aspects of the circumcision of the princes. Also we may learn the circumcision techniques of that period and efforts of the surgeons for the prevention of circumcision complications. c) History of the first children’s hospital of the Ottoman Empire gives us important information about the first pediatric surgical clinic, first pediatric operation room and infrastructure of a pediatric hospital as far as research labs, libraries, biochemistry and microbiology labs,steam powered washing dish machines, sterilizers and X-ray department are concerned. d) Informed consents, called “hüccet” were very important as far as children’s rights,parents emotions and surgeons’ responsibilities are concerned. Hüccets may give us an opinion about the high standards of children’s rights during Ottoman Empire.

In conclusion, we believe that, dealing with historical aspects of pediatric surgery should be an important task for pediatric surgeons. Information from past experiences: a) may prevent us for having the same complications, morbidities and cathastrophic results of the past experiences. b) they are useful for preventing us for making re-discoveries (such as a new technique, new modification which were already mentioned in detail in the past). c) they give us information and feeling of respect for the highly talented surgeons of the past centuries, whohad performed the similar operations without the benefits of anesthesia, hightech instruments and benefits of different medical treatment facilities.