Abul Qasim al-Zahrawi, Pioneer of Modern Surgery

Speaking of Muslim medical figures, most Muslims immediately remember the name Ibn Sina - the inventor of parasitic science. It is as if Muslims only have Ibn Sina as a prominent figure in medical science. Though there are many figures of Islamic medicine whose works are still useful today, there is Abu Bakr al-Razi who was asked to become the greatest scientist in the field of medicine, Ali bin Isa al-Kahal, the greatest ophthalmologist in medieval times, ath -Thufail was the first person to find Ancylostoma or called the circular intestine (as-Sirjani, 2009: 272-274), to Imam Ibnul Qayim with his phenomenal work Thibbun Nabawi. So, Ibn Sina is not alone in this field. Not to mention the figure of Ibn Sina who was considered controversial, both in terms of religious thinking or methods of treatment.

The medical figure we will discuss on this occasion is a pioneer in modern surgery. He is Abu Qasim al-Zahrawi. Al-Zahrawi revolutionized classical surgery and laid down surgical rules which became the foundation of modern surgery.

Al-Zahrawi discovered new surgical methods and tools that made it easier for patients. He also has 30 volumes of surgical encyclopedias which were the main reference for surgery in Europe for several centuries and became the foundation of modern medical science.

Who is al-Zaharawi?

He was Abul Qasim Khalaf ibn al-Abbas-al-Zahrawi, Westerners knew him with Abulcasis. Born in 936 and died in 1013 AD in the city of al-Zahra, al-Zahrawi served in the II Umayyad Caliphate in Cordoba, Andalusia. Initially he was known as a physicist, until finally he introduced theories and surgical instruments in medical science, then people knew him as a surgeon (al-Hassani, 2005: 167).



Achievement

Al-Zahrawi's achievements in surgery were overwhelming and extraordinary, to the point that he was considered the first person to make surgery a separate specialty in medical science. Al-Zahrawi was among the first people to find surgical instruments and found a theory that binds organs during surgery to prevent bleeding. In addition, he also made threads for used surgical sutures and the first person to use injections.



His most phenomenal work is At-Tashrif Liman Ajiza ‘an Ta’lif, a medical encyclopedia compiled in 30 volumes of books. The book that was written in 1000 contained various medical topics including dental health and childbirth. At-Tashrif was compiled during the 50 years of Al-Zaharawi's medical career, both in training, teaching and practice.

Interestingly, this book also contains the importance of a positive relationship between doctors and patients. He also wrote about his affection for his students whom he referred to as "my children". He stressed the importance of caring for patients regardless of their social status and encouraging persuasive observation of individual cases to make the most accurate diagnosis and the best possible care.

Suffice to show the privilege of At-Tashrif by translating this book into Latin by an Italian named Gerard in the 12th century. During the next 5 centuries the book became the main reference for medical developments in Europe, especially surgery.

Mastery of Surgery

According to al-Zahrawi a person would not master surgery until he mastered general medicine, anatomy, and the writings of philosophers who studied medicine. He pioneered many procedures and equipment used in the operating room at this time. He was the first person to use catgut as a thread for deep cavity sutures. Catgut is a thread made from the intestine lining of the animal which is the only material that is very well used for sewing the inside because it can be absorbed by the body, and prevents the second operation from being removed.



He found many tools needed for modern operations. He is the first person to use foreceps during childbirth, which is very helpful in reducing infant and maternal mortality during childbirth. He performed tonsillectomy (Wikipedia: surgical removal of tonsils / tonsils / tonsils) with tongs, hooks, and scissors that are the same as doctors in today's modern era.

To reduce the fear and worries of his patients when going to surgery, al-Zahrawi uses a certain knife that makes the patient psychologically comfortable. As for ways to eliminate physical pain, he anesthetized (anesthesia) his patients both in the body who will be operated on as well as oral anesthesia (drinking sedative). Mansectomy (removal of the breast) in breast cancer patients performed by al-Zahrawi is also the same as that done by doctors today

Even though he has the knowledge and ability that is qualified in surgery, al-Zahrawi always refuses to carry out risky operations or he is known to be physically and emotionally stressed for the patient. He believed in the importance of human life and tried to extend it as long as possible.

Cover

Islam does not contradict civilization at all, even though people who are unhappy with Islam always shout that a country, community group or individual who clings to Islam, will be restrained. But the history of Islam records things differently than they say, as evidenced by the presence of an Abul Qasim al-Zahrawi, a pioneer in surgery.

Europeans may be proud of the progress of medical science that they have today, but Muslims are the pioneers. Suffice it to say what an expert in European anatomy, the Hallary, is proof of. Hallery said, "All European surgeons after the 16th century studied and based on the discussion of al-Zahrawi's book." (As-Sirjani, 2009: 274).