OPERATION FOR ANEURISM.
Gold Wire Coiled in Aorta to Carry
Electric Current.
The life of Frank McIlhatton of 3107 North Bancroft Street, Philadelphia, has been saved by an exceedingly rare surgical operation, only nine other cases being recorded.
The man was suffering from an aneurism or dilation of the great artery which extended three inches above the base of the breastbone and was three and a half inches wide. As a result of this enlargement he had become unable to swallow, had great difficulty in breathing and suffered excruciating pains in the head. To save his life it was necessary to reduce the aneurism, and to do that the hospital physicians had recourse to what is known as "Corridis operation."
McIlhatton was able to talk to his wife five minutes after the task of the surgeon was completed and is reported as doing well.
The operation was performed by Professor E. W. Holmes, surgeon in chief at the Samaritan hospital, assisted by Dr. Dietrich, Dr. Snively and Dr. Finck. Many men prominent in the profession were spectators.
Cocaine was applied to the affected portion of the aorta, the disease lying in the transverse section, or arch, of that artery.
A holIow porcelain covered needle was introduced into the aneurism, and a section of gold wire fifteen feet long was passed through the hollow of the instrument and permitted to coil in the diseased region. The wire was then connected with a galvanic battery, and the circuit was completed by the placing of a negative plate upon the patient’s back, and a current of five milliamperes was turned on. This was increased at regular intervals until it had attained a strength of eighty milllamperes and one hour's time had been consumed.
Mcllhatton experienced immediate relief, and the operation from a surgical standpoint was pronounced flawless. The application of the electrical current caused coagulation of the contents of the aneurism, which thereby shrank, relieving the pressure upon the lungs and larynx.
References:
1) Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_aortic_aneurysm
2) The Electrician, page 956, October 2, 1903.
http://books.google.com/books?id=hmdNAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA956&lpg=PA956&dq=corridis+operation&source=bl&ots=mMCFtxBuAA&sig=HYc7s1OjgPYPvpBl88hUxgZ_y10&hl=en&sa=X&ei=IyqUUcT_Iq-r4AOQsYC4AQ&sqi=2&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=corridis%20operation&f=false
3) Endovascular Neurosurgery (pdf)
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