Famous for its harsh climate conditions, Antarctica is the least populated continent in the world. In this cold region covered with ice, there is a strange condition for doctors: to have the appendix removed.
While reading, “What’s the matter?” you might think. Because we didn’t understand it at first either. However, when we look into the details, we cannot think that it is an unfair reason at all. Let’s look at this simple but effective reason together.
Life is quite difficult in Antarctica, the driest and windiest place on Earth.
We know that the McMurdo Dry Valleys are the driest place in the world since there has been no rain for 2 million years. Strangely enough, there is not even snow in this valley. There is no humidity in the valley due to a type of wind known as katabatic and seen in Antarctica. It also keeps the area dry, it’s all because of the wind.
You may have to think twice to even visit, not live, in this harsh living continent. Because some conditions are not like we are used to. For example, what’s wrong with doctors having an appendix removed?
When he learned the answer, “I guessed!” You can even say.
Working as a doctor in the harsh and sparsely populated Antarctic conditions is as difficult as any other profession. This town, called Villa Las Estrellas, lacks many amenities. You will appreciate that in this region where everything is limited, there is not an abundance of doctors. In this region, which has only one doctor, if the only doctor has a problem with his appendix, it is almost impossible to find a second doctor to treat him.
Going to Australia, the closest part of Antarctica, for treatment is very difficult at certain times due to transportation. For this reason, doctors who dare to go to Antarctica also have to have their appendix removed.
What are the chances of a doctor’s appendix bursting?
Even breaking a hand or foot seems more likely; The possibility of the appendix bursting seems quite remote to us. But we have to say that this probability will be higher than you think. Even more interesting, this event happened twice in Antarctica. We didn’t know if we should call it the reverse effort rule or the thing you fear will happen to you.
In July of the 1950s, this situation happened on Heard Island, which is famous for its harsh winter conditions. Doctor Serge Udovikoff, fortunately, was not one of the unlucky ones. The Australian navy ship HMAS Australia 2 evacuated the doctor. What about the doctor who performed the appendix surgery in the second case?
Yes, an incident that could be considered “impossible” occurred.
Although the appendix is not very important in our body, it becomes quite risky when it becomes inflamed. It is a condition that requires urgent intervention because it causes inflammation of the abdominal membrane. Almost 10 years after this incident in 1950, the same incident happened to another doctor in Antarctica.
Leonid Rogozov, a doctor in the area called Novolazarevskaya, diagnosed himself with appendicitis as a result of severe symptoms. There were different stations that could help him, but since he was not as lucky as Udovikoff, the snowstorm that day prevented this, so he started by operating on himself.
Rogozov was taking a break every 4 minutes because the surgery he was trying to do while looking in a mirror made him dizzy.
The surgery was very successful and the doctor became the subject of news headlines with the words “the man who did the incredible.” Still, both doctors can be described as lucky. That’s why doctors required him to have an appendectomy before going to Antarctica. Because this situation has happened twice, the third one may not be as lucky as the others. Now that you know the reason, it doesn’t seem ridiculous at all, does it?
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