Cranial trephine

Cranial trephine Cranial trephine

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Brace cranial trephine with five bits, part of trephination set by Sirhenry, France, 1771-1830

With a cutting attachment added to one end, this brace was used as a drill during an operation known as trephination - the cutting of a hole in the skull. This instrument pre-dates ideas about infection causes and their prevention during operations. Any surgery was risky due to the potential for infection, and one on the skull and brain was likely done as a last resort.

Details

Category:
Surgery
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A121486 Pt8
Materials:
steel and wood
Measurements:
trephine: 28 mm x 245 mm x 93 mm,
arrowhead perforator: 10 mm x 84 mm x 15 mm,
handle: 15 mm 47 mm,
conical crown bits (3): 86 mm 20 mm,
type:
cranial trephine
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust