Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: Nathaniel Koo

  • The appendicitis conundrum

    Jayant RadhakrishnanNathaniel KooDarien, Illinois, United States Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency in the world. One would expect consensus regarding its management, but that has not been the case from the time the appendix was first identified. Galen (129–216 CE) was not permitted to dissect human bodies, so he dissected monkeys. Since…

  • Atypical appendectomies

    Jayant RadhakrishnanNathaniel KooChicago, Illinois, United States Appendectomies are routine procedures—until they are not. Three cases of auto-surgery and three other semi-pro appendectomies are worth revisiting. Evan O’Neill Kane (1861-1932) was a well-regarded surgeon who gave an exceptionally detailed account of his auto-appendectomy on February 15, 1921.1 While waiting in the operating room for the surgical…