Denis Browne: surgeon

Denis Browne was the first surgeon in England to confine his practice entirely to children. The methods of treatment devised by him were new and often revolutionary and were frequently attacked and criticized, but they worked. He regarded his research into the aetiology of congenital deformities as his most important single scientific contribution. In 1931, he published his first article on talipes equinovarus. He further enlarged his theory of the mechanical origin of congenital deformities in a study published in 1936. The mechanical theory led him to search for treatment by use of selectively applied pressures and controlled movements. He did not like open corrections. When confronted by a surgical problem he would invariably start by studying the anatomy of the region involved. He was the first to describe the superficial inguinal pouch. His anatomical studies eventually enabled him to perfect the operation for inguinal hernia in infancy and childhood and formed the basis of his operation for cleft palate and of his work on the surgical anatomy of the tonsil. He was the first pediatric surgeon to routinely employ transverse abdominal incisions. He preferred immediate anastomosis to the temporary enterostomies. He introduced the end-to-back anastomosis. He helped rationalizing and perfecting the operative technique for pyloric stenosis. Malformations of the perineum were the subject of many studies. His operation for hypospadias is also well known. His other advances in paediatric surgery, such as treatment of various infective conditions and cardiovascular surgery, were at the time original and important. His inventive genius was best seen in his development of numerous instruments and appliances.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)