The Self-Surgery

The Doctor Who Operated on Himself – The Incredible Story of Dr. Leonid Ivanovich Rogozov

> When we fall ill or suffer from any ailment, our first step is always to visit a doctor. But imagine, what if the doctor himself becomes ill and there is no other medical professional available to treat him? Ordinary treatment might still be possible, but if a surgeon had to operate on himself to save his life, it would sound like the plot of a madman’s tale.



> Yet history records one such incident, when a courageous surgeon with extraordinary mental strength performed a feat in the icy hell of Antarctica that forever earned a place in medical history. This is the story of Dr. Leonid Ivanovich Rogozov, who in 1961 performed his own appendectomy and took human determination to a new height.




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Early Life and Education

> Leonid Ivanovich Rogozov was born on March 14, 1934, in the village of Dauriya, Chita Oblast, Soviet Union. He graduated from Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University and began his professional career as a general practitioner and surgeon. Thanks to his exceptional skill and professional ability, he was selected in 1960 as a member of the Sixth Soviet Antarctic Expedition.




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The Antarctic Mission

From September 1960 to October 1962, Rogozov served as the only doctor for a 13-member team at the Novolazarevskaya Station in Antarctica. Established in January 1961, the station’s mission was to conduct scientific research in one of the harshest climates on Earth. Temperatures could plunge to –50°C, and contact with the outside world was possible only through very limited communication.


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The Onset of Illness

On the morning of April 29, 1961, Rogozov began feeling fatigued, nauseous, and feverish. Soon after, he developed sharp pain in the lower right side of his abdomen. As an experienced surgeon, he quickly diagnosed himself with appendicitis. Without timely surgery, the appendix could rupture, leading to life-threatening complications.

The nearest Soviet station, Mirny, was over a thousand miles away. Other Antarctic stations had no aircraft, and blizzards made any kind of air rescue impossible. Time was running out.


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A Race Against Time

By April 30, his condition had worsened. Signs of peritonitis had appeared, meaning the appendix could rupture at any moment. There was only one option left — to operate on himself.


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An Unbelievable Decision

This was an ultimate test of human willpower and professional skill. Rogozov chose two colleagues to assist him: a meteorologist and a mechanic. Neither had any medical training, so he gave them simple instructions — hold instruments, provide light, and keep the area clean of blood.

He placed a mirror to view the inside of his abdomen. General anesthesia was impossible, so he injected himself with Novocain for local anesthesia.


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Life or Death Surgery

At 2:00 a.m. on May 1, 1961, the surgery began. Lying slightly on his left side, he made a 10–12 cm incision. While opening the peritoneum, he accidentally cut the cecum but quickly stitched it up. The base of the appendix showed a dark spot, indicating it was close to bursting.

Despite intense pain and weakness, he paused for short breaks to avoid fainting. The mirror’s reversed image made every movement twice as difficult. But finally, he removed the appendix and applied antibiotics inside the abdomen. By 4:00 a.m., the surgery was complete.


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Recovery

After closing the incision, his fever and peritonitis symptoms began to fade within a few days. By the fifth day, the fever was gone; by the seventh, the stitches were removed. Within two weeks, he was back to work.


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Recognition and Impact

In 1961, for his extraordinary bravery, Rogozov was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour. Following this incident, the Soviet government made thorough medical examinations mandatory for all personnel headed to Antarctica to prevent such emergencies.


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Later Life and Legacy

Rogozov returned to the Soviet Union, continuing his career as a surgeon and professor. In 1966, he published significant research titled Resection of the Esophagus for Treating Esophageal Cancer. On September 21, 2000, he passed away in Saint Petersburg at the age of 66.


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The Message

The story of Dr. Leonid Rogozov is not just a surgical case; it is a testament to human determination, skill, and self-belief. He proved that when life reaches its most critical point, courage and intelligence can turn the impossible into reality. His achievement will forever remain a golden chapter in history.