The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-09
SURGERY EXTRAORDINARY.
A Cancer Removed from a Mans Face-An
Operation Lasting Three Hours.

NEW YORK June Sc. l.. Fairchild, West
chester county farmer, about three months ago
noticed a small red swelling upon his upper lip,
and classed ii as harmless pimple 1t grew
steadily, however and became exceedingly
painful. In two weeks it had extended over the
whole left cheek, and the entire muscle upon
that side of the face was affected. The local
physicians not being able to settle the nature OF
the difficulty, and as it did not succumb to the
usual treatment of absorbents, the patient came
to this city and entered the Hahnemann Hos
pital. The swelling in the neck continued
to increase in size until the cheek was
about six inches thick, always hard to the
touch, except at point under the left ear,
where it was soft and spongy. Sharp. shooting
pains radiated from the seat of the difficulty In
the upper lip all over the cheek, being especial
ly violent under the eve. The patients face
wore an anxious expectant look, and the cheek
gradually assumed a black appearance. In sew
eral places small pieces Of bone could be felt
where the jaw had become affected, and had
thrown off sharp splinters After careful ex
animation, the disease was diagnosed as a sar-
coma, or cancerous growth of malignant type.
Internal treatment did not check the progress of
the cancer, and the patient consented to risk a
surgical operation though he was told that the
chances were all against him.
week ago Mr.. Fairchild was taken to the
operating-room of the hospital and laid upon
the table. DR.. William Tod Helmuth consult
ing surgeon of the hospital. took charge Of the
case A cone containing ether was placed over
the patients nose. and in a few moments a loud
snore indicated that the an9sthsa was com
plete The instruments were in a large basin
close by, in an antiseptic solution of bichloride
OF mercury and carbolic acid. With small
knife the surgeon made incision in the
trachea just above the chest. After the hem
morrhage had been checked, a small tracheo
tony tube was inserted in the wind pipe, SO that
the patient could breathe through il while the
main operation was being performed. To re-
duce the chances of fatal termination it was
necessary to pack the upper portion OF the
wind pipe through the mouth, so as to
prevent blood from flowing into the lungs.
After the tube had been cleared of mucus, and
was under the control of tho respiratory organ.
the patients mouth was opened wide and small
sponges were placed under n pressure in the
back part of the throat, until the passage into
the lungs completely INSTRUCTED. An in
cision then made through the upper lip,
along the left side of the nose and under the
eye to tie left The skin upon the left
check was then dissected up from the muscular
tissue until a large flap was made, which, being
turned back, exposed the cancerous growth. 1t
was found to have involved all the bones in the
cheek and upper jaw, and had altered their ma
ture to such an extent that they could be bent
under slight pressure. small saw was
next employed, and the cheek bone near
the nose, where it appeared to be sound
and healthy, was severed The bone
under the eye was so soft that it offered no re-
sistance, and the whole jaw and muscular tissue
were raised. The fungus growth was found to
have extended backward to the basilar process
of the occipital bone, and the operation assumed
new complications. With the aid of a pair Of
bone forceps. all the rough edges of bone were
carefully removed until every visible portion APP
peared to be healthy. The cancer was drawn
out from the cheek as far as possible, and pair
of specially constructed forceps were fastened to
it, as close to the base as possible. A strong,
steady pull was then applied to the forceps,
and the cancer and its roots were drawn
out, leaving a large section of quivering
flesh. Blood spurted in every direction,
and it became necessary to apply actual cautery
to the wounded parts. After much difficulty the
hemorrhage was controlled, and the wound, after
every part of affected tissue had been removed,
was thoroughly washed with an antseptic solu-
ton. The other flap was then returned to it's
proper position and stitched fast to the adjoining
parts. The operation lasted over three hours,
and Mr.. Fairchild was kept all the time under
the influence of ether. He returned to con-
sciousness slowly, and suffered greatly from the
shock It was feared that he would not rally
after the large loss of blood, and there were
indications of relapse He finally improved,
however, so that the immediate danger Of death
was past. He has been growing stronger daily
since the operation, and it is now believed that
he will recover. The wound is rapidly healing,
and his face will be but little disfgured