The doctor surgically removed the appendix

During the expedition in Antarctica, Leonid Rogozov became seriously ill and needed surgery. As the only doctor in the group, he realized that no one other than himself could accomplish this .

The doctor removed the appendix himself

Rogozov is one of the 12 members of the 6th Antarctic expedition of the Soviet Union , tasked with building a new research station in the Schirmacher Oasis area. When Novolazarevskaya station completed and went into operation in mid-February 1961, Rogozov's group had a time to live there in the harsh winter months.

Leonid Rogozov in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) a few years after the expedition in Antarctica.(Photo: Vladislav Rogozov)

When the polar region begins, the 27-year-old doctor begins to feel tired, nauseous and weak. Severe wound spreads to the abdomen.

" As a surgeon, my father did not have much trouble diagnosing it as a symptom of acute appendicitis. This is the case that he had many surgeries and often found in the civilized world. However, it was unfortunate that he did not live in that world, but instead was in the middle of the remote area of ​​Antarctica, " said Vladislav, son of Rogozov.

At the end of April 1961, Rogozov's life began to be in danger when there was no hope of receiving outside support . The journey from Russia to Antarctica lasts 36 days at sea and the ship will only return a year later, while snowfall and snowstorm are the influencing factors if traveling by air. He must face the boundary of life and death, or wait for helpless help, or try to do something.

It was not an easy choice.Rogozov knew that the appendix might break and if that happened, he would die. He had to open his own stomach to perform this surgery, but wasn't sure if that was possible. If you keep pondering and waiting, symptoms will get worse.

Rogozov's trip took place during the Cold War, when the east and the west raced in many fields, from space and nuclear weapons to polar regions. "If my father failed and died, it would certainly create a negative criticism of the Soviet Antarctic discovery program," Vladislav said.

Decision

Rogozov had his own surgery to remove the appendix.Photo: BBC

Rogozov decided to do the surgery himself rather than die for doing nothing.

" I didn't sleep all night. Pain came in. A storm of snow swept through my soul, hissing like 100 wild dogs. There was no clear symptom that the impending phenomenon was imminent, but feeling suffocating about something hanging above my head, I had to think about how to perform the surgery on myself, It was almost impossible, but I couldn't just cross my arms and give up , 'he wrote. in the diary.

Rogozov outlined a detailed plan, calculating the steps that will take place and assigning his colleagues to each specific task. Rogozov asked two main assistants to hold the tools, put the lights on and held the mirror to see the reflection."My father worked systematically, even instructing people what to do if he lost consciousness, how to inject adrenalin and CPR ," said son Rogozov.

" Oh my assistants. At the last minute, I looked at them. They stood there with white surgical suits. I was also very scared. But when I held a needle with novocaine and first vaccinated myself, with Somehow I was automatically ready. Since that time, I have no idea what else is , "wrote Rogozov.

Rogozov intended to use mirrors for surgery, but he noticed that its reversal vision hindered. So he ended this process by feeling and not using gloves himself. In the final stage and also the most difficult phase, Rogozov almost lost consciousness. He began to fear that he would fail.

Rogozov bleed quite a lot. He weakened and his mind began to spin. Every 4-5 minutes, doctors have to rest for 20-25 seconds.After nearly two hours, Rogozov successfully removed the appendix . Before allowing himself to rest, he instructed his assistants on how to wash surgical instruments. Only when the room is clean and tidy, can Rogozov use antibiotics and sleeping pills.

Rogozov returned to normal life just two weeks later . Talking about this success, Vladislav thought it was an amazing thing, but the most important thing was that Rogozov felt relieved for giving himself a chance to live.