[Galvanocautery in the 19th century otorhinolaryngology service].

Abstract

The essence of galvanocautery, the such instruments as loops, cauteries and others are presented first of all. The achievements of such doctors as Albrecht Theodor Middeldorpf (1824-1868), Victor von Bruns (1812-1883), Friedrich Eduard Voltolini (1819-1889) and others in development of galvanocautery are depicted. The observations of such Polish physicians as Antoni Bryk (1820-1881), Jan Sedziak (1861-1932) and Zygmunt Srebrny (1860-1941) were very valuable. The good points and shortcomings of galvanocautery and principles of post-operational procedures are pointed out. The use of galvanocautery in otorhinolaryngology especially in strictures of external auditory meatus, aural polyps, aural granulations, in hypertrophy of nasal concha, nasal polyps, in atresia of nasal cavities, in hypertrophy of palatine tonsils, in tumors of naso-pharyngeal cavity, in tuberculosis laryngis are described with full particulars.