New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-01
Aneurism Operation, Second OF
Its Kind, Performed at
Bellevue Hospital.
PATIENTS LIFE SAVED
Fifty Surgeons Sec DR., LusN
Use Electricity and Gold
Cord to Repair Great
Artery.


its kind. was performed late yesterday
afternoon III Bellevue Hospital by Dr.
William G. Lusk. Thirty-siX feet ot
sold wire were wrapped around the
aorta of the heart and current OF
electricity sent through the wire, which
reduced the swelling OF the artery sut-
dcient 10 allow it TO perform it's natural
functions through artificial means.
The operation took place in he
Crane room, and was witnessed by the
medical faculty Of Bellevue and about
fifty OF the leading surgeons Of Now
York No anesthetic was used during
he operation, but the incision. which
was made in tho back OF the patient.
between the fifth and sixth ribs. vas
sprayed with cocaine. At tho close II
the operation, which lasted about four
hours. Or. Lusk expressed himself IS
satisfied.
The patient who underwent the OPP
grafton is Oscar Nielsen. fifty years old,
q cabinet maker, who was removed
from the Pennsylvania Hotel. B5th
street and Eighth avenue, on July IL.
At the time Of his entrance he was
taken to Ward 8, in charge Of DR..
Cody. He was examined by several
surgeons, who pronounced tho case
hopeless. DR.. Dusk was called In. md
after an examination Of the patient do
cided that there was a possible chance.
Nielsen WAS suffering from swelling
of the aorta, which had grown TO such
an extent that 1t was only question
Of a short time when the vessel would
break, causing death.
Patient Agrees to Operation.
The patient wss acquainted with
these facts and told of the risk of an
operation, but readily consented. and
the date was set for yesterday. Owing
10 the seriousness Of the case the regI-
lar operating room was not chosen. but
instead the Crane room was decided
upon, and a supervising nurse was
stationed at the door 10 prevent inter
ruption. Only physicians were al
mitted TO the room.
The patient was brought into the
room on stretcher, weak and suffer
ing great pain. An examination was
made by DIR. Lusk, who announced that
The administering of an anesthetic,
slCh as ether or chloroform, would be
20 needle. ~... au- decided 70 substi
t... "o.asI,.
incioiOp Ynada ir1 tba hnCg If
he patient, between the fifth and sixth
ribs, and thirty-six feet Of gold wirs
attached TO canula needle was rm
through and wrapped around the aorta
Of the heart. The heart Itself was
much swollen.
The wire used. by DR.. LHlsk was
thinner than a hair, and after II had
been wound around the aorta. in spring
fashion. the end in the needle was
taken out and attached TO an electrical
machine, the current of which was
turned on and sent through the wire
The electricity hardened the artery
and In a short time the fruits Of the
operation was witnessed by those pres
ent. The blood started TO circulate
freely through the aorta, which was
being backed by the wire and elec-
ricity, reducing the swelling and at
the same time allowing the heart to
perform it's functions.
Wire Serves ss New Wall.
The patient was under observation
for short period, after which the
wound was closed. The wire will at
a. q sort of artificial wall and will
hold the current for an indefinite time
This is the second operation Of its
kind performed IN this country. The
previous one was performed in Belle.
Vue by the same surgeon five months
ago. the patient at that time being
Henry Griffin. Twelve feet OF gold
wire was used on Griffin, after which
II was said that ne would not live a
week. Two weeks later he left the
hospital, and is to-day we'll and hearty.
II was said at the hospital last night
that Nielsen had already shown i'm
provement. and that 1t was only mat
ter Of time when he would be ready to
leave the hospital in a strengthened