Dr. George Hayward (1791-1863): a forgotten pioneer of reconstructive pelvic surgery

American surgeon George Hayward (1798-1863) has become lost to the historical memory of practicing urologists and urogynecologists, yet he deserves to be remembered for his important contributions to the advancement of pelvic surgery. In addition to being an observant commentator on the surgical practice of his day, he performed the first major operation carried out under ether anesthesia and he was the originator of the "flap-splitting" operation for the repair of vesico-vaginal fistula commonly, but erroneously, attributed to Lawson Tait. This article reviews George Hayward's career and professional accomplishments with the hope of restoring his well-deserved prominence as a pioneer of reconstructive pelvic surgery.