What is Trephining and why was it used?

By Galen’s time (129–199) trephining was in standard use in treating skull fracture for relieving pressure, for gaining access to remove skull fragments that threatened the dura, and, as in Hippocratic medicine, for drainage.

Did they used to drill holes in skulls for headaches?

Trepanation—the technique of removing bone from the skull by scraping, sawing, drilling or chiselling—has long fascinated those interested in the darker side of medical history.

Did the Incas do brain surgery?

Inca surgeons in ancient Peru commonly and successfully removed small portions of patients’ skulls to treat head injuries, according to a new study. The surgical procedure—known as trepanation—was most often performed on adult men, likely to treat injuries suffered during combat, researchers say.

How many Trepanned skulls have been found?

More than 1500 trephined skulls have been uncovered throughout the world, from Europe and Scandinavia to North America, from Russia and China to South America (particularly in Peru).

Is trephining used today?

The primary theories for the practice of trepanation in ancient times include spiritual purposes and treatment for epilepsy, headache, head wound, and mental disorders. In modern eye surgery, a trephine instrument is used in corneal transplant surgery.

When was trephination used?

The oldest discovered skulls showing evidence of trepanation date back to the Mesolithic period — around 6000 B.C. They emerged in North Africa, Ukraine, and Portugal.

How long does it take to recover from burr hole surgery?

Most patients will spend at least a few days recovering in the hospital. However, some patients will require a much longer hospital stay, such as following a stroke or traumatic brain injury. After you are released from the hospital, you will begin your recovery at home.

Did the Incas have anesthesia?

The Incas used chicha to induce unconsciousness during minor surgical operations and it was still being used in those regions in the 19th century to perform female circumcision. Datura, espingo, tobacco, and San Pedro cactus can produce a deep trance and, in all probability, anesthesia.

Can people survive trepanning?

As a tendency, the survival rate appears to be relatively high from the Neolithic to Late Antiquity but then decreases until Pre-Modern times. The 78% survival rate in Late Iron Age Switzerland indicates that the surgery was often performed successfully.

When did Trephining stop?

The treatment was largely practiced until the early 16th century. An article in the journal World Neurosurgery reported that trepanation was widely practiced throughout China thousands of years ago.

What is the archaeological evidence for trephination?

Evidence for trephination occurs from prehistoric times from the Neolithic period onwards. The main pieces of archaeological evidence are in the forms of cave paintings and human remains; the skulls themselves from prehistoric times.

What is anthropology news magazine?

Anthropology News Anthropology News is the American Anthropological Association’s award-winning member magazine. We publish bimonthly in print and online 24/7. The magazine includes feature articles, opinion columns, visual essays, AAA news, in memoriam notices, member profiles, section news, and more.

Is it possible to perform a trephination surgery?

Others, however, did not, though it is impossible to tell if the surgery was performed on live individuals (who died during or after the surgery) or on deceased ones. It was also found that various techniques were used for the trephination. Apart from drilling, other methods of performing the surgery include scrapping and cutting the skull.

Are there any open access articles in social anthropology?

The series specializes in articles in any field of Social Anthropology which are available online as open-access and free-to-read. All publications in the series are evaluated by an open-source, peer-review process. 4. SAGE » Journal of the Anthropological Survey of India