[The history of surgical instruments: 1. The Mikulicz peritoneal clamp]

The peritoneal clamp, which has been developed by the Breslau surgeon Johann von Mikulicz-Radecki (1850-1905), is presented on the basis of original publications from 1900. At this time, Mikulicz had been a full professor of surgery at the Medical Faculty of the University of Breslau. After laparotomy, Mikulicz recommended to seize the peritoneum with 4 to 8 clamps, developed by him to protect the wound of the abdominal wall from manipulations and to prevent a retraction of the peritoneum: "The fastened clamps are changed in their position in a way, that the grips lie out of the area of the wound on the abdominal wall." Moreover, a brief description of the Breslau surgeon's life and work is given. Further, we refer on his importance on the development of modern surgery in Germany.