Albucasis (936–1013), a Pioneer in Tonsillectomy Publisher Pubmed



Tajik N¹ ; Mohseni Seifabadi M² ; Musakazemi N² ; Zargaran A¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Acta Chirurgica Belgica Published:2022

Abstract

Background: The surgical removal of tonsils has been performed from as long as three thousand years ago, as mentioned in Hindu literature. The role medieval physicians like Albucasis played in the history of tonsillectomy is very important. This article aims to show the contributions Albucasis made to this procedure. Methods: The present library-documentary research relied on the third chapter of the book al-Tasrif, Albucasis’ surgical text, as the main information source. Results: Albucasis discussed the conditions necessary for tonsillectomy, he introduced three surgical tools for this operation, and he also described the surgical method. Albucasis succeeded in inventing and discovering new tools and methods for tonsillectomy. Conclusion: The comparison of the tonsil surgery introduced by Albucasis and those of earlier and later surgeons reveals Albucasis’ superiority in both operation performance and equipment used. Some of his methods are comparable with approaches to operations used in the 20th century. © 2022 The Royal Belgian Society for Surgery.