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Vincent Alexander Bochdalek (1801–1883)

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Abstract

Vincent Alexander Bochdalek, Czech anatomist and professor, was one of the pioneers in describing congenital diaphragmatic hernias in newborns. Interestingly, there is very little in the literature and almost nothing in the English literature regarding this important medical figure. A dedicated individual, Bochdalek had great perseverance, which allowed him to surpass obstacles in both his personal life and career. He is recognized for his accurate description of posterior diaphragmatic herniation, for which during his lifetime, there was no treatment. In addition, Bochdalek has multiple eponyms in his honor: ganglion Bochdalecki, Bochdalek’s basket, and the valves of Bochdalek. Always steadfast in his beliefs, Bochdalek fought for the creation of anatomy labs in Prague against society pressures. His devoted study of anatomy, especially of congenital diaphragmatic hernias, laid the foundation for the successful surgical correction of this once lethal anomaly.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Bodo Baumgartner for the translation of the German manuscripts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomical Sciences, St George’s University, School of Medicine, True Blue Campus, Grenada, West Indies

    Marios Loukas, Abraham El-Sedfy & Andrea Cermakova

  2. Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation, St George’s University, Grenada, West Indies

    Abraham El-Sedfy

  3. Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, AL, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

  4. University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Walter B. Gribben

  5. Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Institute, Tabriz Medical University, Tabriz, Iran

    Mohammadali M. Shoja

Authors
  1. Marios Loukas
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  2. Abraham El-Sedfy
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  3. R. Shane Tubbs
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  4. Walter B. Gribben
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  5. Mohammadali M. Shoja
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  6. Andrea Cermakova
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Correspondence to Marios Loukas.

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Loukas, M., El-Sedfy, A., Shane Tubbs, R. et al. Vincent Alexander Bochdalek (1801–1883). World J Surg 32, 2324–2326 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-008-9686-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-008-9686-6

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