List of surgeons

List of Surgeons

The field of surgery is a critical component of medicine, involving the use of operative manual and instrumental techniques to investigate or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, to help improve bodily function or appearance. Surgeons are medical professionals who specialize in these procedures, each often focusing on a specific area within surgery. This article provides a list of notable surgeons who have made significant contributions to their fields.

General Surgeons

• William Stewart Halsted - Often considered the father of modern American surgery, Halsted introduced the concept of sterile surgery and developed several surgical techniques.
• John Hunter - An 18th-century Scottish surgeon, Hunter is celebrated for his contributions to the understanding of human teeth, bone growth, and vascular surgery.

Cardiothoracic Surgeons

• Christiaan Barnard - A South African surgeon who performed the world's first successful human-to-human heart transplant.
• Michael DeBakey - An American surgeon who was a pioneer in the development of the heart bypass surgery and an innovator in the field of cardiovascular surgery.

Neurosurgeons

• Harvey Cushing - Known as the father of modern neurosurgery, Cushing's work greatly advanced the treatment of brain tumors.
• Ben Carson - A retired American neurosurgeon known for his work in separating conjoined twins and his contributions to pediatric neurosurgery.

Orthopedic Surgeons

• Hugh Owen Thomas - A pioneer in orthopedic surgery, Thomas is known for his development of the Thomas Splint, which significantly reduced the mortality of compound fractures of the femur.
• Gavriil Ilizarov - A Soviet orthopedic surgeon, Ilizarov is famous for inventing the Ilizarov apparatus for lengthening limb bones and for his work on bone regeneration.

Plastic Surgeons

• Sir Harold Gillies - A New Zealand-born British surgeon who is considered the father of modern plastic surgery.
• Sushruta - An ancient Indian surgeon believed to be the author of the Sushruta Samhita, one of the oldest texts on medicine and surgery, and known for his pioneering techniques in plastic surgery.

Trauma Surgeons

• G. Tom Shires - An American trauma surgeon who made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of shock and trauma surgery.

Vascular Surgeons

• Michael E. DeBakey - (Listed also under Cardiothoracic Surgeons) His work in vascular surgery, including the development of the roller pump, was instrumental in the development of the heart-lung machine.

Pioneering Women in Surgery

• Elizabeth Blackwell - The first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States, paving the way for women in the field of surgery.
• Mary Edwards Walker - An American surgeon, she was the first and only woman to ever receive the Medal of Honor.

Surgical Innovators and Researchers

• Alexis Carrel - A French surgeon and biologist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1912 for pioneering vascular suturing techniques.
• Joseph Lister - A British surgeon and a pioneer of antiseptic surgery, Lister promoted the idea of sterile surgery to prevent infection.