Whitehead Operation

Whitehead's operation: a historical view of surgery

Whitehead operation is the name used to refer to a procedure developed by the English surgeon William Whitehead in the 19th century. This operation was created to treat diseases of the bladder and prostate.

William Whitehead was a famous surgeon of his time who worked in London. He was known for his innovative treatments for various diseases, including genitourinary problems.

In 1870, Whitehead developed an operation that received his name - the Whitehead operation. This surgery involved removing part of the bladder and prostate gland to treat prostate cancer and bladder disease.

Although the Whitehead procedure was developed more than 150 years ago, it is still used in some cases, especially in the treatment of prostate cancer. However, modern treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy are usually more effective and safer.

Thus, the Whitehead operation is a historical achievement in the field of surgery, but its use is currently limited.

Whitehead operation

Whitehead surgery is a reconstructive plastic modification of the ureteral duplication, in which a chain of drainage tubes with 2 holes each - upper and lower - is fixed into it along the anterior semicircle. The tubes are placed 5 cm apart, at a distance of 0.5–1.0 cm from the ends of each bladder tissue, so that its capacity is not impaired. As a stricture forms, the length of the tube increases and the diameter of the tube decreases.

The insertion of the tubes begins and ends at 9 am. The indication for surgery is total post-radiation cystostomy or bilateral urethrostomy, especially with disruption of the antireflux barrier without creating a descending epicystostomy for permanent cystostomy. It is advisable to perform the operation after normalization of electrolyte metabolism, phosphaturia and with a satisfactory result of complex conservative treatment