The first Polish total laryngectomies

Area of Science:

• Surgery
• Laryngology
• Medical History

Background:

• The total removal of the larynx (total laryngectomy) was a groundbreaking surgical procedure first performed in 1872.
• Early advancements in laryngology and surgical techniques were critical for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the initial surgeons who performed total laryngectomy.
• To recognize the contributions of Polish surgeons to the early development of total laryngectomy.
• To analyze the factors contributing to the failures of early total laryngectomy procedures.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of surgical records and publications.
• Biographical research on pioneering surgeons in the field of laryngology.
• Analysis of early surgical outcomes and contributing factors to mortality.

Main Results:

• Julian Kosiński performed the first total laryngectomy in Poland in 1877, the 14th globally.
• Franciszek Ksawery Jawdyński pioneered neck cancer excision with lymph node removal.
• By 1897, Poland ranked fourth worldwide with 16 total laryngectomies performed.

Conclusions:

• Early total laryngectomies faced significant challenges including shock, airway management, infections, and hemorrhage.
• Lack of collaboration between laryngologists and surgeons was a primary cause of early surgical failures.
• The pioneering work of surgeons like Kosiński and Jawdyński laid the foundation for modern laryngectomy techniques.