Emil Theodor Kocher

Emil Theodor Kocher (25 August 1841 – 27 July 1917) was a Swiss physician and medical researcher who received the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work in the physiology, pathology, and surgery of the thyroid. Among his many accomplishments are the introduction and promotion of aseptic surgery and scientific methods in surgery, specifically reducing the mortality of thyroidectomies below 1% in his operations.

Early life and education

Emil Theodor Kocher was born on 25 August 1841 in Berne, Switzerland. He studied medicine at the University of Berne and later at the University of Zurich, University of Berlin, and University of London. He graduated in 1865 and returned to Berne to establish his medical practice.

Career

Kocher's research led to a significant understanding of the thyroid and its diseases. In 1874, he became the first surgeon to completely remove a thyroid, and his continued work on the thyroid earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1909. He was also a pioneer in the development and promotion of aseptic surgical techniques.

Legacy

Kocher's influence on surgical procedures and safety continues to be felt today. His work on the thyroid has led to improved treatments for thyroid diseases, and his emphasis on aseptic techniques has greatly reduced the risk of infection in surgical procedures.

See also

• List of Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine
• History of surgery
• Thyroidectomy

External links

• Nobel Biography for Emil Theodor Kocher
• Whonamedit? - Emil Theodor Kocher

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  Emil Theodor Kocher
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  Bust of Emil Theodor Kocher by Karl Hänny