FROM THE HISTORY OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTAR IUM - THE PERITONEAL CLAMP OF MIKULICZ

The peritoneal clamp, which has been developed by the Breslau surgeon Johann von Mikulicz-Radecki (1850-1905), is presented on the basis of original publications from 1990. At this time, Mikulicz had been a ful l professor of surgery at the Medical Faculty of the University of Bre slau. After laparotomy, Mikulicz recommended to seize the peritoneum w ith 4 to 8 clamps, developed by him to protect the wound of the abdomi nal wall from manipulations and to prevent a retraction of the periton eum: ''The fastened clamps are changed in their position in a way, tha t the grips lie out of the area of the wound on the abdominal wall.'' Moreover, a brief description of the Breslau surgeon's life and work i s given. Further, we refer on his importance on the developent of mode rn surgery in Germany.