History of spinal disorders and Cerrahiyetül Haniye (Imperial Surgery): a review of a Turkish treatise written by Serefeddin Sabuncuoğlu in the 15th century. Historical vignette.

Abstract

The history of spinal surgery represents an important aspect of spine-related sciences. The development of the treatment strategies of spine-related disorders has predominantly been recorded in the Western literature. In this paper, a Turkish physician, Serefeddin Sabuncuoğlu (1385-1468), and his treatise, Cerrahiyetül Haniye (Imperial Surgery), are presented. Three sections of this book regarding spinal disorders (spinal dislocations, sciatica, and back pain) are reviewed. The techniques described were used by Sabuncuoğlu in the 1400s. In conclusion, the language and illustrations of this treatise are unique. Compared with current approaches, there are no major differences in the principles of treating spinal traumas despite the passage of almost 500 years.