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Do you know? How surgery 7,000 years ago changed the destiny of mankind!
Thousands of years ago, ancient people performed an amazing surgical procedure called "trepanation." The core of this surgery is to drill holes in the skull to relieve internal pressure or treat certain health problems. As the understanding of this surgery continues to deepen, the scientific community gradually realizes that its impact on Western medicine is far greater than people imagined, and its historical and cultural background can allow us to better understand the evolution of human medicine.
In prehistoric times, craniotomy was perhaps the oldest surgical procedure, with archaeological evidence showing that it can be traced back to about 7,000 years ago, or even earlier.
According to research by archaeologists, craniotomy was very common in prehistoric Europe, especially at a time when humans had a considerable lack of understanding of disease and physical pain, and many cultures regarded these problems as the influence of evil spirits. Many times, the surgery is performed while conscious, which is surprising; in some cases of death, traces of cranial penetration were found, and the specific purpose of the surgery at that time cannot be determined so far. However, for some, the connection to mental health may be more important.
"In some cultures, people believe that drilling a hole in the skull can release evil spirits that are the source of illness."
Such views are documented in ancient Western and Chinese medical literature. For example, the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates described the process of craniotomy in detail and believed that it was very effective in treating mental illnesses such as epilepsy. In China at the time, it was also recorded that this kind of surgery was used for meditation and spiritual healing, which reflected people's deep understanding of the body and spirit and their intertwined relationship.
And the history of this surgery isn't limited to treating head injuries. Archaeological evidence shows that in a French burial site in the Neolithic Age, 40 out of 120 human bones were found with traces of perforation on their skulls. This shows that the surgery was quite popular at that time, and the proportion of survivors was only 40%. This sparked interest among archaeologists and medical historians, who continue to explore the importance of this technology in ancient societies.
"Archaeologists have excavated more than 1,500 craniotomy skulls from different regions. This evidence shows the existence and importance of craniotomy in different cultures."
During the Middle Ages in Europe, craniotomy was still widely used in some areas. Despite advances in medical knowledge and technology, people still believe that this surgery can cure a wide range of diseases. However, it is not all favorable, as in the absence of sterile techniques, this surgery can occasionally lead to serious infections and other complications. By the 16th and 17th centuries, doctors' success rates reached almost 80%, showing a gradual improvement in medical standards.
With the passage of time, modern medicine’s understanding of craniotomy has changed. Today’s surgeries mostly use more advanced technologies and equipment, such as craniotomy, instead of traditional craniotomy. It also means that the success rate of surgery and patient survival rate are greatly improved. This evolution reflects the continuous progress of the medical community, from primitive surgical procedures to today's sophisticated technology, each step is changing the destiny of mankind.
“With the development of modern diagnostic technology and surgical methods, craniotomy has transformed into a safer and more effective medical method.”
Currently, craniotomy or "skull drill" is mainly used to treat intracranial hemorrhage and monitor intracranial pressure. Advances in these technologies have greatly reduced the risks of surgery, and the patient's recovery has been more effectively guaranteed. . However, for some who believe in the extraordinary utility of craniotomy, the voluntary practice of the procedure is controversial because of the lack of viable scientific evidence to support its purported psychological and physiological benefits.
Faced with this unusual medical history, when we look back at the evolution of craniotomy, we can’t help but think: What is the greatest impact of this ancient surgery on modern medical care?
