Operation appendix
Video transcript
This is not a situation you want to be in during an Antarctic winter.
Australian Antarctic Division, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jeff Ayton “The Russian doctor in 1961, Dr Rogozov, having to do his own appendicectomy under local anaesthetic and with assistance from his lay team, which was an extraordinary feat.”
While some people will do almost anything to visit Antarctica. Australian doctors must sacrifice a piece of themselves.
Australian Antarctic Division, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jeff Ayton “The Australian Antarctic doctors since 1950 have had to have their appendix out. It’s a unique request and it’s always a discussion point at the interview and the medical screening.”
The appendix removal policy came into force after a doctor on Heard Island fell ill, requiring a complex emergency evacuation.
With only a single doctor on each Australian Antarctic station over winter, they must be in good health.
Australian Antarctic Division, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jeff Ayton “It’s not just the instance of appendicitis, it’s the concern about any abdominal mischief and the diagnosis of that remotely when you haven’t got a doctor on site for the doctor. Because appendicitis is a life threatening condition and you can deteriorate within hours to a ruptured appendix and peritonitis and die.”
Despite the unusual job requirement, doctors are still lining up to go south.
