A case in which the common carotid artery was successfully ligatured / by James McNicoll.

  • McNicoll, James.
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A case in which the common carotid artery was successfully ligatured / by James McNicoll. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    transverse cut through the stcrno-mastoid muscle. This being done with great skill and perseverance, the artery was ligatured in the usual manner. TKEATMENT, ETC. AFTER OPEIiATION, AND DISCHARGE. When finished, it was difficult to say whether the patient was dead or alive. Brandy was attempted to be given, but in vain ; the patient showed no consciousness. After a few minutes, however, our hopes were renewed—rthe pulse being distinctly felt. Next morning he was removed from the table to his own ward. The case improved daily: no bad symptoms. The ligature came away in a week. In a month after the operation he was discharged cured. REMARKS. The operation was rendered unusually protracted and difficult by the alarming hoemorrhage from the mouth; but another cause arose from the circum- stance that the cervical adipose tissue was greatly developed, so that the artery was situated un- usually deep—so much so that a candle (although mid-day), was ordered, to throw, if possible, more light into the cavity previous to the ligature being applied. It is remarkable that the ligature should have come away so soon as the seventh day.