Encyclopedia/1. The Cosmos & The Natural World/6. Medicine & Human Biology • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
This timeline traces the evolution of surgical innovations and anesthesia from ancient practices to modern robotic surgery, highlighting key breakthroughs in technique, pain management, and infection control.
Chronological Storyline (45 Milestones)
6000 BCE
Trepanation in Neolithic Europe
Evidence of trepanation (drilling holes in the skull) found in Neolithic skulls, suggesting early surgical procedures for head injuries or spiritual reasons. #surgery #history
Trepanation in Neolithic Europe By Hieronymus Bosch - www.rijksmuseum.nl : Home : Info : Pic, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11077174
2500 BCE
Sushruta Samhita Describes Surgery
The Sushruta Samhita, an ancient Indian text, details surgical procedures including rhinoplasty, cataract removal, and use of over 120 surgical instruments. #surgery #history
Sushruta Samhita Describes Surgery By Unknown author - Image: http://collections.lacma.org/sites/default/files/remote_images/piction/ma-31972784-O3.jpg Gallery: http://collections.lacma.org/node/170472 archive copy at the Wayback Machine, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32452002
400 BCE
Hippocratic Oath and Surgical Ethics
Hippocrates establishes ethical guidelines for physicians, including surgical practices, in ancient Greece. #surgery #ethics
200 CE
Hua Tuo Uses Anesthesia in China
Chinese physician Hua Tuo performs surgeries using mafeisan, an herbal anesthetic, for abdominal operations. #anesthesia #history
Hua Tuo Uses Anesthesia in China By Unknown author - http://members.shaw.ca/jiuwan4/HuaTuo.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1250948
1000 CE
Al-Zahrawi's Surgical Encyclopedia
Andalusian surgeon Al-Zahrawi (Abulcasis) publishes Al-Tasrif, a 30-volume medical encyclopedia detailing surgical instruments and techniques. #surgery #history
Italian surgeon Theodoric advocates for clean wound management and wine-based antiseptics, challenging pus-promotion theories. #surgery #antiseptic
Theodoric Borgognoni Promotes Antiseptic Wound Treatment By Rare Book & Manuscript Library University of Pennsylvania LJS 24 - http://dla.library.upenn.edu/dla/medren/pageturn.html?id=MEDREN_5266652&fq=subject_facet%3A%22Medicine%2C+Medieval%22+AND+illustrated_facet%3A%22Yes%22&rotation=0¤tpage=17, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50908169
1543 CE
Vesalius Publishes De Humani Corporis Fabrica
Andreas Vesalius revolutionizes anatomy with detailed human dissections, correcting Galenic errors and advancing surgical knowledge. #anatomy #surgery
Vesalius Publishes De Humani Corporis Fabrica By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=457251
1597 CE
Gaspare Tagliacozzi Performs Rhinoplasty
Italian surgeon Tagliacozzi describes nasal reconstruction using a skin flap from the arm, advancing plastic surgery. #surgery #plastic
Gaspare Tagliacozzi Performs Rhinoplasty By Tiburzio Passarotti - Massimo Rizzardini per tropeamagazine.it, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6229554
1667 CE
First Documented Blood Transfusion
Jean-Baptiste Denys performs the first human blood transfusion using lamb blood, leading to later understanding of compatibility. #surgery #transfusion
First Documented Blood Transfusion By Erythrozytenkonzentrat.jpg: Pflegewiki-User Würfel derivative work:Midnightsnack - de:File:Erythrozytenkonzentrat neu.jpg Erythrozytenkonzentrat.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11626260
1799 CE
Humphry Davy Discovers Nitrous Oxide Analgesia
Humphry Davy notes the pain-relieving properties of nitrous oxide, suggesting its use in surgery. #anesthesia #discovery
Humphry Davy Discovers Nitrous Oxide Analgesia By Thomas Phillips - one or more third parties have made copyright claims against Wikimedia Commons in relation to the work from which this is sourced or a purely mechanical reproduction thereof. This may be due to recognition of the "sweat of the brow" doctrine, allowing works to be eligible for protection through skill and labour, and not purely by originality as is the case in the United States (where this website is hosted). These claims may or may not be valid in all jurisdictions. As such, use of this image in the jurisdiction of the claimant or other countries may be regarded as copyright infringement. Please see Commons:When to use the PD-Art tag for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6364758
1842 CE
Crawford Long Uses Ether for Surgery
American physician Crawford Long administers ether to remove a neck tumor, but does not publish until later. #anesthesia #surgery
Crawford Long Uses Ether for Surgery By Joseph Jacobs - Some Personal Recollections and Private Correspondence of Dr. Crawford Williamson Long, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=163224118
Oct 16, 1846 CE
First Public Demonstration of Ether Anesthesia
William T.G. Morton demonstrates ether anesthesia at Massachusetts General Hospital, ushering in the modern era of painless surgery. #anesthesia #milestone
First Public Demonstration of Ether Anesthesia By Kenneth C. Zirkel - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157417813
1847 CE
James Young Simpson Introduces Chloroform
Scottish obstetrician James Young Simpson uses chloroform for childbirth, popularizing anesthesia in obstetrics. #anesthesia #obstetrics
James Young Simpson Introduces Chloroform By Unidentified photographer - Frontispiece of Sir James Young Simpson and Chloroform (1811-1870) (Henry Laing Gordon), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4896130
1865 CE
Joseph Lister Introduces Antiseptic Surgery
Joseph Lister uses carbolic acid to sterilize surgical wounds and instruments, dramatically reducing infection rates. #surgery #antiseptic
Joseph Lister Introduces Antiseptic Surgery By Unknown author - Weltrundschau zu Reclams Universum 1902, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9647607
1881 CE
First Successful Gastrectomy
Theodor Billroth performs the first successful partial gastrectomy, pioneering gastrointestinal surgery. #surgery #gastroenterology
First Successful Gastrectomy By Theodor-Billroth.jpg: Fotograf Erich Conrad derivative work: Materialscientist - This file was derived from: Theodor-Billroth.jpg:, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20209116
1885 CE
William Halsted Introduces Surgical Gloves
William Halsted introduces rubber gloves for surgery to protect hands from antiseptics, later adopted for sterility. #surgery #innovation
William Halsted Introduces Surgical Gloves By John H. Stocksdale - http://ihm.nlm.nih.gov/images/B14034, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18705261
1895 CE
Roentgen Discovers X-Rays
Wilhelm Roentgen discovers X-rays, enabling non-invasive imaging for surgical planning. #surgery #imaging
Roentgen Discovers X-Rays By Erwin Hanfstaengl - https://global.museum-digital.org/singleimage?imagenr=2399678, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182243188
1901 CE
Karl Landsteiner Discovers Blood Groups
Karl Landsteiner identifies human blood groups, making safe blood transfusions possible for surgery. #surgery #transfusion
Karl Landsteiner Discovers Blood Groups By Bachrach Studios - [2], Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=132640305
1905 CE
First Successful Corneal Transplant
Eduard Zirm performs the first successful full-thickness corneal transplant, advancing transplant surgery. #surgery #transplant
First Successful Corneal Transplant By Unknown author - retrieved from SL. Moffatt, VA. Cartwright, TH. Stumpf. Centennial review of corneal transplantation. „Clin Experiment Ophthalmol”. 33 (6), s. 642-57, 2005. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9071.2005.01134.x. PMID 16402960., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18443190
1910 CE
Harvey Cushing Pioneers Neurosurgery
Harvey Cushing develops modern neurosurgical techniques, including use of electrocautery and blood pressure monitoring. #surgery #neurosurgery
Harvey Cushing Pioneers Neurosurgery By Unknown author - https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/V0027585.html This file comes from the Wellcome Collection, a website operated by Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation based in the United Kingdom. Refer to Wellcome blog post (archive).This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33621104
1928 CE
Alexander Fleming Discovers Penicillin
Discovery of penicillin provides a powerful antibiotic to prevent and treat surgical infections. #surgery #antibiotic
Alexander Fleming Discovers Penicillin By Official photographer - http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib//32/media-32192/large.jpg This photograph TR 1468 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24436974
1940 CE
First Use of Curare as Muscle Relaxant in Anesthesia
Harold Griffith and Enid Johnson use curare to relax muscles during surgery, improving anesthesia safety. #anesthesia #surgery
First Use of Curare as Muscle Relaxant in Anesthesia By Unknown author - https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/4a/bf/d9bcdeaab4999bc7b56a954b354e.jpg Gallery: https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/L0019166.html Wellcome Collection gallery (2018-04-01): https://wellcomecollection.org/works/px2pthe6 CC-BY-4.0, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35989318
1950 CE
First Successful Kidney Transplant
Richard Lawler performs the first successful kidney transplant between living donors, a milestone in transplant surgery. #surgery #transplant
First Successful Kidney Transplant By Wiremu Stadtwald Demchick - This SVG coat of arms includes elements from this coat of arms:, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56460354
1953 CE
First Successful Open-Heart Surgery with Heart-Lung Machine
John Gibbon uses the heart-lung machine to perform the first successful open-heart surgery, enabling cardiac surgery. #surgery #cardiac
First Successful Open-Heart Surgery with Heart-Lung Machine By Jerry Hecht - http://fmp.cit.nih.gov/hi/ - Image ID: 657 C, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=780261
1960 CE
First Implantation of Artificial Hip Joint
John Charnley performs the first successful total hip replacement, revolutionizing orthopedic surgery. #surgery #orthopedics
Dec 3, 1967 CE
First Human Heart Transplant
Christiaan Barnard performs the first human-to-human heart transplant in Cape Town, South Africa. #surgery #transplant
First Human Heart Transplant By IPPA photographer - This file is available from Dan Hadani collection of the National Library of Israel. link to the source:Heart transplant pioneer Barnard here on Visit., CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=142422502
1972 CE
CT Scanner Invented
Godfrey Hounsfield and Allan Cormack develop computed tomography (CT), providing detailed cross-sectional images for surgical planning. #surgery #imaging
CT Scanner Invented By Food and Drug Administration - https://fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/medical-x-ray-imaging/computed-tomography-ct, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=99627315
First Successful Separation of Conjoined Twins By Mae M. Bookmiller - babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b466744 page 167, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41633060
1985 CE
First Robot-Assisted Surgery (PUMA 560)
The PUMA 560 robot assists in a neurosurgical biopsy, marking the beginning of robotic surgery. #surgery #robotics
First Robot-Assisted Surgery (PUMA 560) By Nimur at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3158337
1987 CE
First Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Philippe Mouret performs the first laparoscopic gallbladder removal, pioneering minimally invasive surgery. #surgery #minimallyinvasive
First Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marc Rockwell-Pate - This image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 081117-N-7526R-568 (next). This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing. العربية ∙ বাংলা ∙ Bahasa Indonesia ∙ Bahaso Jambi ∙ Deutsch ∙ Deutsch (Sie-Form) ∙ English ∙ español ∙ euskara ∙ فارسی ∙ français ∙ italiano ∙ 日本語 ∙ 한국어 ∙ македонски ∙ മലയാളം ∙ Plattdüütsch ∙ Nederlands ∙ polski ∙ پښتو ∙ português ∙ русский ∙ slovenščina ∙ svenska ∙ Türkçe ∙ українська ∙ 简体中文 ∙ 繁體中文 ∙ +/−, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8232793
1990 CE
Introduction of Propofol for Anesthesia
Propofol is introduced as a fast-acting intravenous anesthetic, widely used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. #anesthesia #drug
Introduction of Propofol for Anesthesia By Harbin - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5710636
1999 CE
da Vinci Surgical System Approved
The da Vinci Surgical System receives FDA approval, enabling precise robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery. #surgery #robotics
2000 CE
First Fully Implantable Artificial Heart
The AbioCor artificial heart is implanted, offering a bridge to transplant for end-stage heart failure patients. #surgery #cardiac
2005 CE
First Face Transplant
Isabelle Dinoire receives the first partial face transplant in France, a landmark in reconstructive surgery. #surgery #transplant
First Face Transplant By US army staffman - http://www.army.mil/article/71538/Natick_plays_major_role_in_face_transplants/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26960400
2008 CE
First Bionic Eye Implant
The Argus II retinal prosthesis is implanted, restoring partial vision to blind patients. #surgery #bionics
First Bionic Eye Implant By Edesjardins19 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69626516
2012 CE
First Successful Penile Transplant
Surgeons in South Africa perform the first successful penile transplant, advancing reconstructive urology. #surgery #transplant
2013 CE
First 3D-Printed Skull Implant
A 3D-printed titanium skull implant replaces 75% of a patient's skull, demonstrating personalized surgical implants. #surgery #3dprinting
First 3D-Printed Skull Implant By RepRapPro - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5nDrae3gJg – View/save archived versions on archive.org, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45334835
2014 CE
First Bilateral Hand Transplant in a Child
Zion Harvey receives a double hand transplant at age 8, a milestone in pediatric transplant surgery. #surgery #transplant
2015 CE
First In-Utero Spina Bifida Surgery
Fetal surgeons perform prenatal repair of spina bifida, improving outcomes for newborns. #surgery #fetal
First In-Utero Spina Bifida Surgery By Francois I. Luks, MD - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8714932
2017 CE
First Human Head Transplant Claimed (Unverified)
Controversial claim of a head transplant on a human corpse by Sergio Canavero, sparking ethical debates. #surgery #ethics
2018 CE
First Successful Penile and Scrotum Transplant
Johns Hopkins surgeons perform the first total penis and scrotum transplant, including the abdominal wall. #surgery #transplant
2019 CE
First Use of Augmented Reality in Surgery
Surgeons use augmented reality (AR) headsets to overlay 3D models onto patients during spinal surgery. #surgery #augmentedreality
First Use of Augmented Reality in Surgery By ChristinaC. - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53799413
2020 CE
First Remote Surgery via 5G
Chinese surgeons perform the first remote surgery using 5G technology, operating on a patient 3,000 km away. #surgery #telemedicine
First Remote Surgery via 5G By Ceibos - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=92393732
2021 CE
First Pig-to-Human Heart Transplant
David Bennett receives a genetically modified pig heart, a xenotransplantation milestone. #surgery #xenotransplant
First Pig-to-Human Heart Transplant By Jansen of Lorkeers S, Gho J, Koudstaal S, van Hout G, Zwetsloot P, van Oorschot J, van Eeuwijk E, Leiner T, Hoefer I, Goumans M, Doevendans P, Sluijter J, Chamuleau S - S1 Video from Jansen of Lorkeers S, Gho J, Koudstaal S, van Hout G, Zwetsloot P, van Oorschot J, van Eeuwijk E, Leiner T, Hoefer I, Goumans M, Doevendans P, Sluijter J, Chamuleau S (2015). "Xenotransplantation of Human Cardiomyocyte Progenitor Cells Does Not Improve Cardiac Function in a Porcine Model of Chronic Ischemic Heart Failure. Results from a Randomized, Blinded, Placebo Controlled Trial". PLOS ONE. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0143953. PMID 26678993. PMC: 4683045., CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46153841
2023 CE
First Fully Robotic Liver Transplant
Surgeons in India perform the first fully robotic living-donor liver transplant, advancing minimally invasive transplant surgery. #surgery #robotics
First Fully Robotic Liver Transplant By Suseno - Photo taken from Autopsy, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5118838
