Trephine: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 12:00, 15 February 2025

A surgical instrument used in ancient times for cutting out circular sections of bone.

Trephine[edit]

A trephine is a surgical instrument with a cylindrical blade, used for cutting out a circular section of bone or other tissue. The term is often associated with the practice of trepanation, an ancient surgical intervention in which a hole is drilled or scraped into the human skull.

History[edit]

The use of trephines dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of trepanation found in ancient cultures around the world, including Ancient Greece, Egypt, and Mesoamerica. The practice was believed to treat various ailments, such as headaches, epilepsy, and mental disorders, by relieving pressure or releasing evil spirits.

In ancient Greece, trephines were part of a surgeon's toolkit, as depicted in various historical texts and archaeological findings. The instrument was typically made of bronze or iron and featured a sharp, circular blade designed to cut through bone.

Design and Function[edit]

Trephines are characterized by their cylindrical shape and sharp, serrated edges. The design allows for precise removal of a circular section of bone, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The instrument often includes a central pin or guide to stabilize the trephine during the procedure, ensuring accuracy and control.

In modern medicine, trephines are still used, albeit with more advanced materials and techniques. They are commonly employed in neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery for procedures such as bone biopsy and craniotomy.

Modern Applications[edit]

While the basic principle of the trephine remains unchanged, contemporary versions are made from high-grade stainless steel and are often used in conjunction with power tools for increased precision and efficiency. Modern trephines are used in various medical fields, including:

Neurosurgery: For creating access points in the skull during brain surgery.
Ophthalmology: In corneal transplant procedures, where a trephine is used to cut a circular section of the cornea.
Dentistry: For removing sections of bone during dental implant procedures.

Related pages[edit]

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-{{Short description|Surgical intervention involving the removal of a circular piece of bone from the skull}}
+{{Short description|A surgical instrument used in ancient times for cutting out circular sections of bone.}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-'''Trephination''', also known as '''trepanation''', is a surgical intervention in which a circular section of the [[skull]] is removed. This procedure has been used since ancient times and is one of the oldest known surgical practices.
+== Trephine ==
-==History==
+[[File:Ancientgreek_surgical.jpg|thumb|right|Ancient Greek surgical instruments, including a trephine.]]
-Trephination dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence found in [[Neolithic]] skulls. The practice was widespread across various cultures, including those in [[Europe]], [[Africa]], and [[South America]]. The reasons for trephination in ancient times are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have been performed to treat [[head injuries]], [[epilepsy]], [[mental disorders]], and to release [[evil spirits]].
+A '''trephine''' is a surgical instrument with a cylindrical blade, used for cutting out a circular section of bone or other tissue. The term is often associated with the practice of [[trepanation]], an ancient surgical intervention in which a hole is drilled or scraped into the human skull.
+== History ==
-===Ancient Greece===
+The use of trephines dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of trepanation found in ancient cultures around the world, including [[Ancient Greece]], [[Egypt]], and [[Mesoamerica]]. The practice was believed to treat various ailments, such as [[headaches]], [[epilepsy]], and [[mental disorders]], by relieving pressure or releasing evil spirits.
-In [[Ancient Greece]], trephination was described by [[Hippocrates]], who provided detailed instructions on the procedure. The Greeks used a tool called a ''trephine'', which was a circular saw-like instrument, to perform the operation. The procedure was considered a last resort for treating [[head trauma]] and [[intracranial pressure]].
-[[File:Ancientgreek_surgical.jpg|thumb|right|Ancient Greek surgical instruments, including a trephine.]]
+In ancient Greece, trephines were part of a surgeon's toolkit, as depicted in various historical texts and archaeological findings. The instrument was typically made of bronze or iron and featured a sharp, circular blade designed to cut through bone.
+== Design and Function ==
+Trephines are characterized by their cylindrical shape and sharp, serrated edges. The design allows for precise removal of a circular section of bone, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The instrument often includes a central pin or guide to stabilize the trephine during the procedure, ensuring accuracy and control.
-===Middle Ages===
+In modern medicine, trephines are still used, albeit with more advanced materials and techniques. They are commonly employed in [[neurosurgery]] and [[orthopedic surgery]] for procedures such as [[bone biopsy]] and [[craniotomy]].
-During the [[Middle Ages]], trephination continued to be practiced in [[Europe]]. It was often performed by [[barber-surgeons]] and was used to treat [[skull fractures]] and [[head injuries]]. The procedure was risky and often led to [[infection]] and [[death]].
-===Modern Era===
+== Modern Applications ==
-In the modern era, trephination has evolved into more sophisticated procedures such as [[craniotomy]] and [[burr hole surgery]]. These procedures are used to treat [[subdural hematomas]], [[brain tumors]], and other conditions that require access to the brain.
-==Procedure==
+While the basic principle of the trephine remains unchanged, contemporary versions are made from high-grade stainless steel and are often used in conjunction with power tools for increased precision and efficiency. Modern trephines are used in various medical fields, including:
-The procedure of trephination involves the use of a trephine to cut a circular hole in the skull. In ancient times, this was done without [[anesthesia]], and the patient was often restrained. The trephine was rotated manually to cut through the bone, and the circular piece of bone was removed to expose the [[dura mater]].
-[[File:Dr_John_Clarke_trepanning_a_skull_operation.jpg|thumb|right|Dr. John Clarke performing a trepanning operation.]]
+* '''Neurosurgery''': For creating access points in the skull during brain surgery.
+* '''Ophthalmology''': In corneal transplant procedures, where a trephine is used to cut a circular section of the cornea.
+* '''Dentistry''': For removing sections of bone during dental implant procedures.
-==Cultural Significance==
+== Related pages ==
-Trephination has held various cultural significances throughout history. In some cultures, it was believed to have [[spiritual]] or [[ritualistic]] purposes. Skulls with trephination holes have been found in [[archaeological]] sites, often showing signs of healing, indicating that some individuals survived the procedure.
-==Related pages==
+* [[Trepanation]]
-* [[Craniotomy]]
 * [[Neurosurgery]]
-* [[History of surgery]]
+* [[Surgical instrument]]
+* [[Ancient Greek medicine]]
-==References==
-* Broca, P. (1876). "On the trephined skulls of prehistoric times". ''Journal of Anthropology''.
-* Faria, M. A. (2013). "Trepanation: History, discovery, theory". ''Surgical Neurology International''.
-* Verano, J. W. (2003). "Trepanation in prehistoric South America: Geographic and temporal trends over 2,000 years". ''Neurosurgical Focus''.
-[[Category:Neurosurgery]]
+[[Category:Surgical instruments]]
-[[Category:History of surgery]]
 [[Category:Ancient Greek medicine]]