Who was Robert Liston? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Robert

Died At Age: 53

Family:

father: Robert Liston

mother: Margaret Ireland

Born Country: Scotland

Surgeons Scottish Men

Died on: December 7, 1847

place of death: London

Cause of Death: Aneurysm

More Facts

education: University of Edinburgh

awards: Fellow of the Royal Society

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1

What is Robert Liston known for in the medical field?

Robert Liston is known for being a pioneering surgeon in the 19th century, credited with numerous surgical innovations and advancements.
2

What is the most infamous incident involving Robert Liston during a surgery?

The most infamous incident involving Robert Liston is when he performed a surgery in which he accidentally amputated a patient's testicles along with the leg due to his quick operating speed.
3

How did Robert Liston contribute to the development of surgical techniques?

Robert Liston contributed to the development of surgical techniques by promoting the use of anesthesia, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness in surgery, and advancing procedures such as amputations and lithotomies.
4

What was Robert Liston's approach to surgery that made him stand out from his contemporaries?

Robert Liston's approach to surgery that made him stand out was his remarkable speed in performing operations, earning him the nickname "the fastest knife in the West End."
5

In what ways did Robert Liston impact the field of surgery?

Robert Liston impacted the field of surgery by setting new standards for surgical practice, introducing innovations that improved patient outcomes, and training a generation of surgeons who carried on his legacy.

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Childhood & Early Life

Robert Liston was born on 28 October 1794, in Ecclesmachan, West Lothian, Scotland, to Henry Liston and Margaret Ireland.

He studied anatomy first under Dr John Barclay at the University of Edinburgh and later in London.

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Career

Robert Liston was hired as a surgeon by the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in 1818. He continued his studies in London at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the London Hospital.

At the age of 22, he joined the Royal College of Surgeons. Later, he moved to Edinburgh and worked there till 1828.

During his time in Edinburgh, Liston became a distinguished personality by successfully handling cases that were considered incurable by his peers. Although he emerged as the best surgeon of his times, he also earned a ‘bad’ reputation because of his argumentative and critical nature.

In 1835, the surgeon returned to London and joined University College Hospital as the professor of clinical surgery, a position he held until his death.

His career reached further heights when he became known as the ‘fastest knife in the West End’, performing surgeries in a matter of minutes.

Robert Liston developed a new method for amputating legs. He would grab the leg and start operating below the knee. He would cut back and forth, drop the detached leg into a bucket and sew the leg in just two and a half minutes.

Known for his effectiveness as well as speed, he would often begin the operation with the phrase “time me, gentlemen”.

Although his style of operating might have seemed careless, his speed of handling surgeries minimized the patients’ pain and also improved their odds of surviving the surgeries.

Liston’s argumentative nature sometimes led to dangerous situations. Once, in an argument with a house surgeon, he plunged his knife into the patient’s neck, causing arterial blood to gush out.

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Between 1835 and 1840, the legendary surgeon handled about 66 amputation cases, out of which only ten were unsuccessful.

Robert Liston practiced good hygiene while operating, unlike his peers. He was known to be critical of unethical behavior of other surgeons and was sympathetic to his patients, especially poor ones. He was a strict teacher to his medical students and expected optimal performance from them.

On 21 December 1846, he performed his first operation in Europe using modern anesthesia. Carried out at the University College Hospital, he used ether for the surgery.

Most Famous Surgeries

Robert Liston’s most famous operation was one in which he amputated the patient’s leg in less than two and a half minutes. However, the patient died afterward. This surgery is also infamous for leading to the death of a young assistant whose fingers were amputated by Liston. He also slashed through the coat of a surgical spectator who died from fright.

In another famous case, he not just amputated a patient’s leg in two and a half minutes but also his testicles.

In one case, he began an argument with his house surgeon while treating a small boy who was being operated on for a pulsating tumor. The boy died and his artery was preserved in the University College Hospital pathology museum.

The surgeon also gained popularity for removing a 45-pound scrotal tumor in just four minutes.

Family & Personal Life

Robert Liston‘s grandfather was Scottish minister Robert Liston. Both shared the same name.

Robert Liston died of an aneurysm on 7 December 1847, at the age of 53. He was buried in Highgate Cemetery in North London, England.

In 1837, he published the book ‘Practical Surgeries,’ in which he argued about the importance of fast surgeries. In the book, he listed the operations that, according to him, should be completed rapidly.

Following his death, his peers set up a marble statue to honor him. They also decided to inaugurate a gold medal to be awarded annually under his signature name.

Facts About Robert Liston

Robert Liston was known as the "fastest knife in the West End" for his remarkable surgical speed and efficiency.

Liston was the first surgeon in Europe to perform an amputation using anesthesia, demonstrating his forward-thinking approach to medicine.

He was credited with popularizing the use of the term "Operation" instead of "Surgery" for medical procedures, showcasing his influence on medical terminology.

Liston was a skilled teacher and mentor to many aspiring surgeons, passing on his knowledge and expertise to the next generation of medical professionals.

Robert Liston Biography

You wanted to know

What is Robert Liston known for in the medical field?

What is the most infamous incident involving Robert Liston during a surgery?

How did Robert Liston contribute to the development of surgical techniques?

What was Robert Liston's approach to surgery that made him stand out from his contemporaries?

In what ways did Robert Liston impact the field of surgery?