Pediatric Surgery in 19th-Century Greece: A Historical Analysis of Theodoros Aretaios’s Case Records

Authors

  • Konstantinos Laios National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • Pavlos Lytsikas – Sarlis Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • Constantinos G. Zografos Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • Irina Noskova Private Nurse
  • Dimitrios Zisiadis Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • Konstantinos G. Apostolou Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • Gregory Tsoucalas Department of the History of Medicine and Medical Deontology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece

Keywords:

Pediatric surgery, Theodoros Aretaios, 19th century, Greek surgery

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.23.2.7

The historical examination of pediatric surgery in the 19th century, particularly through the cases managed by Theodoros Aretaios (1829–1893), underscores the complexities and challenges faced by surgeons of that era. Aretaios’s experiences with conditions such as atresia and osteosarcoma reveal a lack of specialization in pediatric surgery, as procedures were often adapted from adult practices without fully addressing the unique needs of children. His documentation highlights not only the medical difficulties but also the social implications of treating life-threatening conditions in young patients, emphasizing the evolution of surgical practices and the necessity for a more child-centered approach in modern medicine. This paper aims to shed light on the development of pediatric surgical care, illustrating how historical practices inform contemporary understandings and methodologies.

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Published

2026-04-20

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 2 (2025): AMHA - Acta medico-historica Adriatica

Section

Review article