Meet the man who win death on the edge of the earth

Dr Leonid Rogozov was a Soviet general practitioner who took part in the sixth Soviet Antarctic Expedition in 1960–1961.He was the only doctor stationed at the Novolazarevskaya Station and, while there, developed appendicitis, which meant he had to perform an appendectomy on himself, a famous case of self-surgery.

Rogozov had no option but to perform the operation on himself. The operation started at 02:00 local time on 1 of May 1961 with the help of a driver and meteorologist, who were providing instruments and holding a mirror.The operation itself lasted an hour and 45 minutes.After the operation gradual improvement occurred in the signs of peritonitis and in the general condition of Rogozov.Body temperature returned to normal after five days, and the stitches were removed seven days after the operation. He resumed his regular duties in about two weeks.Rogozov’s operation remains an example of determination and the human will for life. In later years Rogozov himself rejected all glorification of his deed.