James Luke 1799–1881

Abstract

James Luke was born at Exeter on December 12, 1799, the third son of a merchant and banker. At the age of 17, and upon the death of his father, he became attached to John Andrews of the London Hospital. He attended the lectures and three years later was appointed Demonstrator of Anatomy. In 1827 he was elected Assistant Surgeon and ultimately achieved the position of Consulting Surgeon in 1861.

At the Royal College of Surgeons, Luke was a member of the Council for 20 years, and was President in 1853 and again in 1862. He was a Hunterian Orator in 1852.

Luke was a tall man and was said to harbor an irascible temper. He was scrupulously careful about the cleanliness of his instruments, a peculiarity which was rather unique during his day. A rapid surgeon, he once amputated at the hip and removed the limb in 27 seconds. He was particularly interested in the treatment of cleft palate, fractures, and the repair of groin hernias. In thisClassic article, Luke describes his approach to the management of colonic obstruction. He is believed to have been the first surgeon to perform a pararectus incision, bringing the bowel out in the neghborhood of the rectus muscle. He mentions in the article that this appears to be the preferred approach when the site of the obstruction is not clearly delineated. This is in contrast to the operation advocated by Amussat (Dis Colon Rectum 1983; 26: 483–487).

Luke retired to Buckinghamshire, where he lived as a country gentleman and employed himself in woodcarving until his death on August 15, 1881.

Luke J. A case of obstruction of the colon, relieved by an operation performed at the groin.