Inca Skull Surgeons Were Highly Skilled, Study Finds

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Inca Skull Surgeons Were " Highly Skilled, " Study Finds

National Geographic News, May 12, 2008

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. A similar procedure is performed today to relieve

pressure caused by fluid buildup following severe head trauma. Around

the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco, remains dating back to A.D. 1000 show

that surgical techniques were standardized and perfected over time,

according to the report. Many of the oldest skulls showed no evidence of

bone healing following the operation, suggesting that the procedure was

probably fatal. But by the 1400s, survival rates approached 90 percent,

and infection levels were very low, researchers say.

 

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080512-inca-skulls.html