A case in which ovariotomy was twice successfully performed on the same patient / by T. Spencer Wells.

  • Thomas Spencer Wells
Date:
[1867]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A case in which ovariotomy was twice successfully performed on the same patient / by T. Spencer Wells. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    again and removed eighteen pints of whitish glutinous fluid, similar to that before evacuated. After this tapping, groups of cysts, irregularly disposed, and evidently adhering in some places to the abdominal wall, were felt filling the whole of the hypogastric region, and on the right of the median line, above the umbilicus, extending nearly up to the sternum. The uterus was high and to the left side; its mobility was restricted. The os was small and virginal; the tumour was felt to the right side of the uterus, pushing that organ to the left, but the tumour was scarcely below the brim of the pelvis. After the last tapping the heart beat a full inch lower than it had done before; but the apex of the left lung was still duller than the right. Although the feeble state of the general health, the dis¬ placement of the thoracic viscera, and the family history, did not augur favorably for ovariotomy, it was so clearly the only resource that it was performed on the 15th of February, after consultation with Dr. Houth. An incision was commenced one inch below the umbilicus, and carried downwards for five inches: there were extensive adhesions between the cyst and abdominal wall, above and to the right of the incision, ex¬ tending to the brim of the pelvis, but they gave way to the hand. Having tapped and emptied a large cyst, and broken down a second within the first, the tumour was drawn out, and a piece of adhering omentum was separated. The pedicle was three to four inches in length, extending from the left side of a long thin uterus; it was secured in a small clamp, and left outside without traction. There was a little oozing from the separated adhesions. The blood was care¬ fully sponged away, but no vessel required ligature. The right ovary was felt to be healthy. The wound was closed with five deep and three superficial sutures. The patient rallied well, complained of but little pain, and only required one opiate. The stitches were all removed on the third day,—the clamp on the eighth day. The bowels acted for the first time on the thirteenth day, but there had been no uneasiness from the prolonged constipation. She
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