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The Contribution of Petrus Camper to the Anatomy and Aetiology of Inguinal Hernias

  • Medical History
  • Published:
Hellenic Journal of Surgery

Abstract

One of the most intriguing eras in the evolution of hernia surgery is the second half of the 18th century, when surgeons interested, also, in anatomy, started to publish studies on the abdominal wall and the inguinal canal. Petrus Camper (1722–1789), a well-known “praelector anatomiae” of the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons and Professor of Anatomy and Surgery at the Universities of Franeker, Amsterdam, and Groningen, performed dissections on corpses of children and adults to study the anatomy and aetiology of inguinal hernias. He rejected the prevailing concept of that time that a hernia was caused by “a rupture of the peritoneum” and provided a clear description of the aetiology of hernias in both children and adults. His geometrical measurement of the pelvis and his acquired craftsmanship provided the basis for the development of an effective and reliable truss to treat inguinal hernia conservatively. His artistic and drawing talent rendered him great facility in presenting his anatomical observations of the inguinal canal in a marvelous way. Campers “Icones herniarum” include exceptional anatomical illustrations of inguinal hernias. His anatomic studies allowed the development of hernia surgery based on anatomy rather than barbaric castration by ancient “herniotomists”. Petrus Camper should be considered as a pioneer in anatomy and aetiology of inguinal hernias.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical School of Crete University Hospital, P.O. Box 1352, 71110, Heraklion, Greece

    Eelco de Bree & G. Schoretsanitis

  2. Laboratory of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Crete, Heraklion, Greece

    J. Tsiaoussis

Authors
  1. Eelco de Bree
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  2. J. Tsiaoussis
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  3. G. Schoretsanitis
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Correspondence to Eelco de Bree.

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de Bree, E., Tsiaoussis, J. & Schoretsanitis, G. The Contribution of Petrus Camper to the Anatomy and Aetiology of Inguinal Hernias. Hellenic J Surg 92, 126–132 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-020-0560-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-020-0560-9

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