Battey's operation: an exercise in surgical frustration

Robert Battey (1828-1895) introduced bilateral oophorectomy for the treatment of non-ovarian conditions in 1872, coining the term "normal ovariotomy" for the operation. Normal ovariotomy - a contradictio in terminis - was practised widely for several decades. Alfred Hegar (1830-1914), among many other gynaecologists, extended the indications of Battey's operation to include the treatment of various ovarian conditions as well, e.g., small tumors. Better insight into female physiology and ovarian function finally pushed the sinister operation of Robert Battey from the scene.