Surgery

[Jane]

Two questions about surgery.  Does this:

What surgeries are acceptable?[/list]mean that spleens can be successfully removed?

What about the drilling of skulls to relieve pressure on the brain after a head injury?  (Not brain surgery, just making a hole and then letting it heal up.)

Thanks again!

[emma]

I would say that generally optional procedures here are not suitable for Pern, the books give the impression that invasive elective surgery is not an option.

As for the drilling of a skull (trepanning), well it's known that the Egyptians and Greeks did that many years ago, believing that they were freeing the patient from evil spirits. I suspect that might not be common, and possibly might require the skills of a Master.

I don't know about removing a spleen, if they could detect that was necessary I could see it being done.

[Eimi]

I don't think the spleen would be removed.  The FAQ says

any procedure that is high risk and complicated on Terra (Earth) are not present.

This is from Wikipedia:

In general, spleens are removed by laparoscopy (minimal access surgery) when the spleen is not too large and when the procedure is elective. It is performed by open surgery for trauma or large spleens. Both methods are major surgeries, and are performed under general anesthesia. The spleen is located and disconnected from its arteries. The ligaments holding the spleen in place are dissected and the spleen is removed. When indicated a drain is left in place and the incision(s) is closed. If necessary, tissue samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis.

I'd say it is much too complicated for Pern medicine considering the amount of blood that would be lost and the risks of infection and blood clots are just too high.