Is it possible to perform surgery on yourself?











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2
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My character has to perform surgery on herself and by herself.



She has all the surgery tools and a screen to watch what she is doing.



She is in a clean stable environment and there is no risk of infection.



She has to perform surgery near her spine, where she's inserting a microchip connecting to the nerve connected to the brain. The technology is futuristic so this is possible.



What I'm specifically asking if she could actually do the surgery?










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  • Moving your hands in your back is quite difficult so performing a surgery in your spine will be even more... Does it requires anaesthesia? If it does it's quite probable she won't be able to do it... she may fall asleep. Also, you must think how much complicate is the procces? Just inject a a microcrip may be really easy, but that isn't the same as connecting each nerve from the spine to the chip.
    – Ender Look
    1 hour ago










  • What level is the rest of the technology? Does she have something that allows her the impossible reach to get to the section near her spinal column? How is she at the sight of blood? What about her blood? (It makes a difference to some.) Does she have sufficient blood for transfusion to reduce risk of dying on the table? Why is she doing it on herself instead of guiding someone (which would be significantly easier and lower-risk in this case)?
    – Sora Tamashii
    1 hour ago










  • she is a genius who is mental. she doesnt really have emotions so she doesn't get grossed out. the technology is self made and is superior to modern science.
    – Rowyn Alloway
    6 mins ago















up vote
2
down vote

favorite












My character has to perform surgery on herself and by herself.



She has all the surgery tools and a screen to watch what she is doing.



She is in a clean stable environment and there is no risk of infection.



She has to perform surgery near her spine, where she's inserting a microchip connecting to the nerve connected to the brain. The technology is futuristic so this is possible.



What I'm specifically asking if she could actually do the surgery?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Rowyn Alloway is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




















  • Moving your hands in your back is quite difficult so performing a surgery in your spine will be even more... Does it requires anaesthesia? If it does it's quite probable she won't be able to do it... she may fall asleep. Also, you must think how much complicate is the procces? Just inject a a microcrip may be really easy, but that isn't the same as connecting each nerve from the spine to the chip.
    – Ender Look
    1 hour ago










  • What level is the rest of the technology? Does she have something that allows her the impossible reach to get to the section near her spinal column? How is she at the sight of blood? What about her blood? (It makes a difference to some.) Does she have sufficient blood for transfusion to reduce risk of dying on the table? Why is she doing it on herself instead of guiding someone (which would be significantly easier and lower-risk in this case)?
    – Sora Tamashii
    1 hour ago










  • she is a genius who is mental. she doesnt really have emotions so she doesn't get grossed out. the technology is self made and is superior to modern science.
    – Rowyn Alloway
    6 mins ago













up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











My character has to perform surgery on herself and by herself.



She has all the surgery tools and a screen to watch what she is doing.



She is in a clean stable environment and there is no risk of infection.



She has to perform surgery near her spine, where she's inserting a microchip connecting to the nerve connected to the brain. The technology is futuristic so this is possible.



What I'm specifically asking if she could actually do the surgery?










share|improve this question









New contributor




Rowyn Alloway is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











My character has to perform surgery on herself and by herself.



She has all the surgery tools and a screen to watch what she is doing.



She is in a clean stable environment and there is no risk of infection.



She has to perform surgery near her spine, where she's inserting a microchip connecting to the nerve connected to the brain. The technology is futuristic so this is possible.



What I'm specifically asking if she could actually do the surgery?







science-fiction survival






share|improve this question









New contributor




Rowyn Alloway is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




Rowyn Alloway is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 1 hour ago









L.Dutch

70.8k22168341




70.8k22168341






New contributor




Rowyn Alloway is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 1 hour ago









Rowyn Alloway

416




416




New contributor




Rowyn Alloway is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Rowyn Alloway is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Rowyn Alloway is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • Moving your hands in your back is quite difficult so performing a surgery in your spine will be even more... Does it requires anaesthesia? If it does it's quite probable she won't be able to do it... she may fall asleep. Also, you must think how much complicate is the procces? Just inject a a microcrip may be really easy, but that isn't the same as connecting each nerve from the spine to the chip.
    – Ender Look
    1 hour ago










  • What level is the rest of the technology? Does she have something that allows her the impossible reach to get to the section near her spinal column? How is she at the sight of blood? What about her blood? (It makes a difference to some.) Does she have sufficient blood for transfusion to reduce risk of dying on the table? Why is she doing it on herself instead of guiding someone (which would be significantly easier and lower-risk in this case)?
    – Sora Tamashii
    1 hour ago










  • she is a genius who is mental. she doesnt really have emotions so she doesn't get grossed out. the technology is self made and is superior to modern science.
    – Rowyn Alloway
    6 mins ago


















  • Moving your hands in your back is quite difficult so performing a surgery in your spine will be even more... Does it requires anaesthesia? If it does it's quite probable she won't be able to do it... she may fall asleep. Also, you must think how much complicate is the procces? Just inject a a microcrip may be really easy, but that isn't the same as connecting each nerve from the spine to the chip.
    – Ender Look
    1 hour ago










  • What level is the rest of the technology? Does she have something that allows her the impossible reach to get to the section near her spinal column? How is she at the sight of blood? What about her blood? (It makes a difference to some.) Does she have sufficient blood for transfusion to reduce risk of dying on the table? Why is she doing it on herself instead of guiding someone (which would be significantly easier and lower-risk in this case)?
    – Sora Tamashii
    1 hour ago










  • she is a genius who is mental. she doesnt really have emotions so she doesn't get grossed out. the technology is self made and is superior to modern science.
    – Rowyn Alloway
    6 mins ago
















Moving your hands in your back is quite difficult so performing a surgery in your spine will be even more... Does it requires anaesthesia? If it does it's quite probable she won't be able to do it... she may fall asleep. Also, you must think how much complicate is the procces? Just inject a a microcrip may be really easy, but that isn't the same as connecting each nerve from the spine to the chip.
– Ender Look
1 hour ago




Moving your hands in your back is quite difficult so performing a surgery in your spine will be even more... Does it requires anaesthesia? If it does it's quite probable she won't be able to do it... she may fall asleep. Also, you must think how much complicate is the procces? Just inject a a microcrip may be really easy, but that isn't the same as connecting each nerve from the spine to the chip.
– Ender Look
1 hour ago












What level is the rest of the technology? Does she have something that allows her the impossible reach to get to the section near her spinal column? How is she at the sight of blood? What about her blood? (It makes a difference to some.) Does she have sufficient blood for transfusion to reduce risk of dying on the table? Why is she doing it on herself instead of guiding someone (which would be significantly easier and lower-risk in this case)?
– Sora Tamashii
1 hour ago




What level is the rest of the technology? Does she have something that allows her the impossible reach to get to the section near her spinal column? How is she at the sight of blood? What about her blood? (It makes a difference to some.) Does she have sufficient blood for transfusion to reduce risk of dying on the table? Why is she doing it on herself instead of guiding someone (which would be significantly easier and lower-risk in this case)?
– Sora Tamashii
1 hour ago












she is a genius who is mental. she doesnt really have emotions so she doesn't get grossed out. the technology is self made and is superior to modern science.
– Rowyn Alloway
6 mins ago




she is a genius who is mental. she doesnt really have emotions so she doesn't get grossed out. the technology is self made and is superior to modern science.
– Rowyn Alloway
6 mins ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
3
down vote



accepted










Yes, this is possible.



Here are some real life examples:



Woman carries out caesarean on herself - and she and baby live
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/apr/07/health.healthandwellbeing




A pregnant woman in Mexico is reported to have given birth to a
healthy baby boy after performing a caesarean section on herself with
a kitchen knife...The unidentified 40-year-old [other sources give her name as Ines Ramirez Perez], who lives in a rural
area without electricity, running water or sanitation, and whose home
was an eight-hour drive from the nearest hospital, performed the
operation when she found she could not deliver the baby naturally.



She took three small glasses of hard liquor and, using a kitchen
knife, sliced her abdomen in three attempts ... and delivered a male
infant who breathed immediately and cried...Before losing
consciousness the woman told one of her children to call a local nurse
for help. After the nurse stitched the wound with a sewing needle and
cotton thread, the mother and baby were transferred and treated...at
the nearest hospital."








Doctor rescued from Antarctica in 1999 dies at 57
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/23/obit.jerri.nielsen/index.html




Dr. Jerri Nielsen...treated herself for breast cancer while stationed
at the South Pole in 1999...Nielsen caught the nation's attention in
1999, when she found a lump in her breast as a 47-year-old physician
stationed at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research Station. After
finding the lump in June, she diagnosed herself with breast cancer and
began treating herself using chemotherapy agents that the U.S. Air
Force parachuted to the station the next month.



It was later revealed...that Nielsen -- an emergency room doctor from
Cleveland, Ohio -- performed a biopsy on herself with the help of
non-medical crew, who practiced using needles on a raw chicken.




In your character's case, the surgery is something from the future so hopefully the tools are too. She'd be unlikely to be able to reach her spine properly but even today we have robots that do surgery and can be controlled by computer. So she could do that.






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    5
    down vote













    Leonid Rogozov, when based on a Russian Antarctic base as doctor, was forced to perform appendix operation on himself.




    On the morning of 29 April 1961, Rogozov experienced general weakness, nausea, and moderate fever, and later pain in the lower right portion of the abdomen. None of the possible conservative treatment measures helped. By 30 April signs of localised peritonitis became apparent, and his condition worsened considerably by the evening. Mirny, the nearest Soviet research station, was more than 1,600 km (1,000 mi) from Novolazarevskaya. Antarctic research stations of other countries did not have an aircraft. Severe blizzard conditions prevented aircraft landing in any case. Rogozov had no option but to perform the operation on himself.



    The operation started at 02:00 local time on 1 May with the help of a driver and meteorologist, who were providing instruments and holding a mirror to observe areas not directly visible, while Rogozov was in a semi-reclining position, half-turned to his left side. A solution of 0.5% novocaine was used for local anaesthesia of the abdominal wall. Rogozov made a 10–12 cm incision of the abdominal wall, and while opening the peritoneum he accidentally injured the cecum and had to suture it. Then he proceeded to expose the appendix. According to his report, the appendix was found to have a dark stain at its base, and Rogozov estimated it would have burst within a day. The appendix was resected and antibiotics were applied directly into the peritoneal cavity. General weakness and nausea developed about 30–40 minutes after the start of the operation so that short pauses for rest were repeatedly needed after that. By about 04:00 the operation was complete.



    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.




    But in this case the abdomen is accessible with the hands with no big hurdles. Accessing the back region is going to be more cumbersome, if the operation has to be executed by hands. If instead your character has the necessary tools for performing tele-surgery (basically remotely controlled robotic arms and hands), it should be feasible.






    share|improve this answer




























      up vote
      2
      down vote













      It sounds like the most difficult part would be actually reaching around to to insert the microchip if it's behind her own back. With a local anaesthetic, she'd be able to make the incision and insert the chip. Obviously I can't speak to the extent of the futuristic technology, or how involved the surgery is, but a simple insertion certainly wouldn't be too hard.



      You might be interested in reading about a Russian doctor called Leonid Rogozov. He was the lone physician on an Antarctic expedition when he developed appendicitis. With no other options he gave himself a local anaesthetic and performed a self-appendectomy.

      In his case he did have assistance in the form of a driver and meteorologist, but he made a full recovery and resumed his duties about a week later.



      Another related topic would be biohackers or grinders, which is a term for people who experiment with cybernetic implants upon themselves. An example would be inserting small silicon-coated magnets under the fingertips, which can give the person a primitive electromagnetic sense as the magnet twitches and pushes against the nerve endings in the presence of an electrical field.






      share|improve this answer





















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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes








        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes








        up vote
        3
        down vote



        accepted










        Yes, this is possible.



        Here are some real life examples:



        Woman carries out caesarean on herself - and she and baby live
        https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/apr/07/health.healthandwellbeing




        A pregnant woman in Mexico is reported to have given birth to a
        healthy baby boy after performing a caesarean section on herself with
        a kitchen knife...The unidentified 40-year-old [other sources give her name as Ines Ramirez Perez], who lives in a rural
        area without electricity, running water or sanitation, and whose home
        was an eight-hour drive from the nearest hospital, performed the
        operation when she found she could not deliver the baby naturally.



        She took three small glasses of hard liquor and, using a kitchen
        knife, sliced her abdomen in three attempts ... and delivered a male
        infant who breathed immediately and cried...Before losing
        consciousness the woman told one of her children to call a local nurse
        for help. After the nurse stitched the wound with a sewing needle and
        cotton thread, the mother and baby were transferred and treated...at
        the nearest hospital."








        Doctor rescued from Antarctica in 1999 dies at 57
        http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/23/obit.jerri.nielsen/index.html




        Dr. Jerri Nielsen...treated herself for breast cancer while stationed
        at the South Pole in 1999...Nielsen caught the nation's attention in
        1999, when she found a lump in her breast as a 47-year-old physician
        stationed at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research Station. After
        finding the lump in June, she diagnosed herself with breast cancer and
        began treating herself using chemotherapy agents that the U.S. Air
        Force parachuted to the station the next month.



        It was later revealed...that Nielsen -- an emergency room doctor from
        Cleveland, Ohio -- performed a biopsy on herself with the help of
        non-medical crew, who practiced using needles on a raw chicken.




        In your character's case, the surgery is something from the future so hopefully the tools are too. She'd be unlikely to be able to reach her spine properly but even today we have robots that do surgery and can be controlled by computer. So she could do that.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          3
          down vote



          accepted










          Yes, this is possible.



          Here are some real life examples:



          Woman carries out caesarean on herself - and she and baby live
          https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/apr/07/health.healthandwellbeing




          A pregnant woman in Mexico is reported to have given birth to a
          healthy baby boy after performing a caesarean section on herself with
          a kitchen knife...The unidentified 40-year-old [other sources give her name as Ines Ramirez Perez], who lives in a rural
          area without electricity, running water or sanitation, and whose home
          was an eight-hour drive from the nearest hospital, performed the
          operation when she found she could not deliver the baby naturally.



          She took three small glasses of hard liquor and, using a kitchen
          knife, sliced her abdomen in three attempts ... and delivered a male
          infant who breathed immediately and cried...Before losing
          consciousness the woman told one of her children to call a local nurse
          for help. After the nurse stitched the wound with a sewing needle and
          cotton thread, the mother and baby were transferred and treated...at
          the nearest hospital."








          Doctor rescued from Antarctica in 1999 dies at 57
          http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/23/obit.jerri.nielsen/index.html




          Dr. Jerri Nielsen...treated herself for breast cancer while stationed
          at the South Pole in 1999...Nielsen caught the nation's attention in
          1999, when she found a lump in her breast as a 47-year-old physician
          stationed at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research Station. After
          finding the lump in June, she diagnosed herself with breast cancer and
          began treating herself using chemotherapy agents that the U.S. Air
          Force parachuted to the station the next month.



          It was later revealed...that Nielsen -- an emergency room doctor from
          Cleveland, Ohio -- performed a biopsy on herself with the help of
          non-medical crew, who practiced using needles on a raw chicken.




          In your character's case, the surgery is something from the future so hopefully the tools are too. She'd be unlikely to be able to reach her spine properly but even today we have robots that do surgery and can be controlled by computer. So she could do that.






          share|improve this answer























            up vote
            3
            down vote



            accepted







            up vote
            3
            down vote



            accepted






            Yes, this is possible.



            Here are some real life examples:



            Woman carries out caesarean on herself - and she and baby live
            https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/apr/07/health.healthandwellbeing




            A pregnant woman in Mexico is reported to have given birth to a
            healthy baby boy after performing a caesarean section on herself with
            a kitchen knife...The unidentified 40-year-old [other sources give her name as Ines Ramirez Perez], who lives in a rural
            area without electricity, running water or sanitation, and whose home
            was an eight-hour drive from the nearest hospital, performed the
            operation when she found she could not deliver the baby naturally.



            She took three small glasses of hard liquor and, using a kitchen
            knife, sliced her abdomen in three attempts ... and delivered a male
            infant who breathed immediately and cried...Before losing
            consciousness the woman told one of her children to call a local nurse
            for help. After the nurse stitched the wound with a sewing needle and
            cotton thread, the mother and baby were transferred and treated...at
            the nearest hospital."








            Doctor rescued from Antarctica in 1999 dies at 57
            http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/23/obit.jerri.nielsen/index.html




            Dr. Jerri Nielsen...treated herself for breast cancer while stationed
            at the South Pole in 1999...Nielsen caught the nation's attention in
            1999, when she found a lump in her breast as a 47-year-old physician
            stationed at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research Station. After
            finding the lump in June, she diagnosed herself with breast cancer and
            began treating herself using chemotherapy agents that the U.S. Air
            Force parachuted to the station the next month.



            It was later revealed...that Nielsen -- an emergency room doctor from
            Cleveland, Ohio -- performed a biopsy on herself with the help of
            non-medical crew, who practiced using needles on a raw chicken.




            In your character's case, the surgery is something from the future so hopefully the tools are too. She'd be unlikely to be able to reach her spine properly but even today we have robots that do surgery and can be controlled by computer. So she could do that.






            share|improve this answer












            Yes, this is possible.



            Here are some real life examples:



            Woman carries out caesarean on herself - and she and baby live
            https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/apr/07/health.healthandwellbeing




            A pregnant woman in Mexico is reported to have given birth to a
            healthy baby boy after performing a caesarean section on herself with
            a kitchen knife...The unidentified 40-year-old [other sources give her name as Ines Ramirez Perez], who lives in a rural
            area without electricity, running water or sanitation, and whose home
            was an eight-hour drive from the nearest hospital, performed the
            operation when she found she could not deliver the baby naturally.



            She took three small glasses of hard liquor and, using a kitchen
            knife, sliced her abdomen in three attempts ... and delivered a male
            infant who breathed immediately and cried...Before losing
            consciousness the woman told one of her children to call a local nurse
            for help. After the nurse stitched the wound with a sewing needle and
            cotton thread, the mother and baby were transferred and treated...at
            the nearest hospital."








            Doctor rescued from Antarctica in 1999 dies at 57
            http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/23/obit.jerri.nielsen/index.html




            Dr. Jerri Nielsen...treated herself for breast cancer while stationed
            at the South Pole in 1999...Nielsen caught the nation's attention in
            1999, when she found a lump in her breast as a 47-year-old physician
            stationed at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research Station. After
            finding the lump in June, she diagnosed herself with breast cancer and
            began treating herself using chemotherapy agents that the U.S. Air
            Force parachuted to the station the next month.



            It was later revealed...that Nielsen -- an emergency room doctor from
            Cleveland, Ohio -- performed a biopsy on herself with the help of
            non-medical crew, who practiced using needles on a raw chicken.




            In your character's case, the surgery is something from the future so hopefully the tools are too. She'd be unlikely to be able to reach her spine properly but even today we have robots that do surgery and can be controlled by computer. So she could do that.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 31 mins ago









            Cyn

            1,902117




            1,902117






















                up vote
                5
                down vote













                Leonid Rogozov, when based on a Russian Antarctic base as doctor, was forced to perform appendix operation on himself.




                On the morning of 29 April 1961, Rogozov experienced general weakness, nausea, and moderate fever, and later pain in the lower right portion of the abdomen. None of the possible conservative treatment measures helped. By 30 April signs of localised peritonitis became apparent, and his condition worsened considerably by the evening. Mirny, the nearest Soviet research station, was more than 1,600 km (1,000 mi) from Novolazarevskaya. Antarctic research stations of other countries did not have an aircraft. Severe blizzard conditions prevented aircraft landing in any case. Rogozov had no option but to perform the operation on himself.



                The operation started at 02:00 local time on 1 May with the help of a driver and meteorologist, who were providing instruments and holding a mirror to observe areas not directly visible, while Rogozov was in a semi-reclining position, half-turned to his left side. A solution of 0.5% novocaine was used for local anaesthesia of the abdominal wall. Rogozov made a 10–12 cm incision of the abdominal wall, and while opening the peritoneum he accidentally injured the cecum and had to suture it. Then he proceeded to expose the appendix. According to his report, the appendix was found to have a dark stain at its base, and Rogozov estimated it would have burst within a day. The appendix was resected and antibiotics were applied directly into the peritoneal cavity. General weakness and nausea developed about 30–40 minutes after the start of the operation so that short pauses for rest were repeatedly needed after that. By about 04:00 the operation was complete.



                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.




                But in this case the abdomen is accessible with the hands with no big hurdles. Accessing the back region is going to be more cumbersome, if the operation has to be executed by hands. If instead your character has the necessary tools for performing tele-surgery (basically remotely controlled robotic arms and hands), it should be feasible.






                share|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  5
                  down vote













                  Leonid Rogozov, when based on a Russian Antarctic base as doctor, was forced to perform appendix operation on himself.




                  On the morning of 29 April 1961, Rogozov experienced general weakness, nausea, and moderate fever, and later pain in the lower right portion of the abdomen. None of the possible conservative treatment measures helped. By 30 April signs of localised peritonitis became apparent, and his condition worsened considerably by the evening. Mirny, the nearest Soviet research station, was more than 1,600 km (1,000 mi) from Novolazarevskaya. Antarctic research stations of other countries did not have an aircraft. Severe blizzard conditions prevented aircraft landing in any case. Rogozov had no option but to perform the operation on himself.



                  The operation started at 02:00 local time on 1 May with the help of a driver and meteorologist, who were providing instruments and holding a mirror to observe areas not directly visible, while Rogozov was in a semi-reclining position, half-turned to his left side. A solution of 0.5% novocaine was used for local anaesthesia of the abdominal wall. Rogozov made a 10–12 cm incision of the abdominal wall, and while opening the peritoneum he accidentally injured the cecum and had to suture it. Then he proceeded to expose the appendix. According to his report, the appendix was found to have a dark stain at its base, and Rogozov estimated it would have burst within a day. The appendix was resected and antibiotics were applied directly into the peritoneal cavity. General weakness and nausea developed about 30–40 minutes after the start of the operation so that short pauses for rest were repeatedly needed after that. By about 04:00 the operation was complete.



                  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.




                  But in this case the abdomen is accessible with the hands with no big hurdles. Accessing the back region is going to be more cumbersome, if the operation has to be executed by hands. If instead your character has the necessary tools for performing tele-surgery (basically remotely controlled robotic arms and hands), it should be feasible.






                  share|improve this answer























                    up vote
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                    down vote










                    up vote
                    5
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                    Leonid Rogozov, when based on a Russian Antarctic base as doctor, was forced to perform appendix operation on himself.




                    On the morning of 29 April 1961, Rogozov experienced general weakness, nausea, and moderate fever, and later pain in the lower right portion of the abdomen. None of the possible conservative treatment measures helped. By 30 April signs of localised peritonitis became apparent, and his condition worsened considerably by the evening. Mirny, the nearest Soviet research station, was more than 1,600 km (1,000 mi) from Novolazarevskaya. Antarctic research stations of other countries did not have an aircraft. Severe blizzard conditions prevented aircraft landing in any case. Rogozov had no option but to perform the operation on himself.



                    The operation started at 02:00 local time on 1 May with the help of a driver and meteorologist, who were providing instruments and holding a mirror to observe areas not directly visible, while Rogozov was in a semi-reclining position, half-turned to his left side. A solution of 0.5% novocaine was used for local anaesthesia of the abdominal wall. Rogozov made a 10–12 cm incision of the abdominal wall, and while opening the peritoneum he accidentally injured the cecum and had to suture it. Then he proceeded to expose the appendix. According to his report, the appendix was found to have a dark stain at its base, and Rogozov estimated it would have burst within a day. The appendix was resected and antibiotics were applied directly into the peritoneal cavity. General weakness and nausea developed about 30–40 minutes after the start of the operation so that short pauses for rest were repeatedly needed after that. By about 04:00 the operation was complete.



                    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.




                    But in this case the abdomen is accessible with the hands with no big hurdles. Accessing the back region is going to be more cumbersome, if the operation has to be executed by hands. If instead your character has the necessary tools for performing tele-surgery (basically remotely controlled robotic arms and hands), it should be feasible.






                    share|improve this answer












                    Leonid Rogozov, when based on a Russian Antarctic base as doctor, was forced to perform appendix operation on himself.




                    On the morning of 29 April 1961, Rogozov experienced general weakness, nausea, and moderate fever, and later pain in the lower right portion of the abdomen. None of the possible conservative treatment measures helped. By 30 April signs of localised peritonitis became apparent, and his condition worsened considerably by the evening. Mirny, the nearest Soviet research station, was more than 1,600 km (1,000 mi) from Novolazarevskaya. Antarctic research stations of other countries did not have an aircraft. Severe blizzard conditions prevented aircraft landing in any case. Rogozov had no option but to perform the operation on himself.



                    The operation started at 02:00 local time on 1 May with the help of a driver and meteorologist, who were providing instruments and holding a mirror to observe areas not directly visible, while Rogozov was in a semi-reclining position, half-turned to his left side. A solution of 0.5% novocaine was used for local anaesthesia of the abdominal wall. Rogozov made a 10–12 cm incision of the abdominal wall, and while opening the peritoneum he accidentally injured the cecum and had to suture it. Then he proceeded to expose the appendix. According to his report, the appendix was found to have a dark stain at its base, and Rogozov estimated it would have burst within a day. The appendix was resected and antibiotics were applied directly into the peritoneal cavity. General weakness and nausea developed about 30–40 minutes after the start of the operation so that short pauses for rest were repeatedly needed after that. By about 04:00 the operation was complete.



                    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.




                    But in this case the abdomen is accessible with the hands with no big hurdles. Accessing the back region is going to be more cumbersome, if the operation has to be executed by hands. If instead your character has the necessary tools for performing tele-surgery (basically remotely controlled robotic arms and hands), it should be feasible.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 1 hour ago









                    L.Dutch

                    70.8k22168341




                    70.8k22168341






















                        up vote
                        2
                        down vote













                        It sounds like the most difficult part would be actually reaching around to to insert the microchip if it's behind her own back. With a local anaesthetic, she'd be able to make the incision and insert the chip. Obviously I can't speak to the extent of the futuristic technology, or how involved the surgery is, but a simple insertion certainly wouldn't be too hard.



                        You might be interested in reading about a Russian doctor called Leonid Rogozov. He was the lone physician on an Antarctic expedition when he developed appendicitis. With no other options he gave himself a local anaesthetic and performed a self-appendectomy.

                        In his case he did have assistance in the form of a driver and meteorologist, but he made a full recovery and resumed his duties about a week later.



                        Another related topic would be biohackers or grinders, which is a term for people who experiment with cybernetic implants upon themselves. An example would be inserting small silicon-coated magnets under the fingertips, which can give the person a primitive electromagnetic sense as the magnet twitches and pushes against the nerve endings in the presence of an electrical field.






                        share|improve this answer

























                          up vote
                          2
                          down vote













                          It sounds like the most difficult part would be actually reaching around to to insert the microchip if it's behind her own back. With a local anaesthetic, she'd be able to make the incision and insert the chip. Obviously I can't speak to the extent of the futuristic technology, or how involved the surgery is, but a simple insertion certainly wouldn't be too hard.



                          You might be interested in reading about a Russian doctor called Leonid Rogozov. He was the lone physician on an Antarctic expedition when he developed appendicitis. With no other options he gave himself a local anaesthetic and performed a self-appendectomy.

                          In his case he did have assistance in the form of a driver and meteorologist, but he made a full recovery and resumed his duties about a week later.



                          Another related topic would be biohackers or grinders, which is a term for people who experiment with cybernetic implants upon themselves. An example would be inserting small silicon-coated magnets under the fingertips, which can give the person a primitive electromagnetic sense as the magnet twitches and pushes against the nerve endings in the presence of an electrical field.






                          share|improve this answer























                            up vote
                            2
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            2
                            down vote









                            It sounds like the most difficult part would be actually reaching around to to insert the microchip if it's behind her own back. With a local anaesthetic, she'd be able to make the incision and insert the chip. Obviously I can't speak to the extent of the futuristic technology, or how involved the surgery is, but a simple insertion certainly wouldn't be too hard.



                            You might be interested in reading about a Russian doctor called Leonid Rogozov. He was the lone physician on an Antarctic expedition when he developed appendicitis. With no other options he gave himself a local anaesthetic and performed a self-appendectomy.

                            In his case he did have assistance in the form of a driver and meteorologist, but he made a full recovery and resumed his duties about a week later.



                            Another related topic would be biohackers or grinders, which is a term for people who experiment with cybernetic implants upon themselves. An example would be inserting small silicon-coated magnets under the fingertips, which can give the person a primitive electromagnetic sense as the magnet twitches and pushes against the nerve endings in the presence of an electrical field.






                            share|improve this answer












                            It sounds like the most difficult part would be actually reaching around to to insert the microchip if it's behind her own back. With a local anaesthetic, she'd be able to make the incision and insert the chip. Obviously I can't speak to the extent of the futuristic technology, or how involved the surgery is, but a simple insertion certainly wouldn't be too hard.



                            You might be interested in reading about a Russian doctor called Leonid Rogozov. He was the lone physician on an Antarctic expedition when he developed appendicitis. With no other options he gave himself a local anaesthetic and performed a self-appendectomy.

                            In his case he did have assistance in the form of a driver and meteorologist, but he made a full recovery and resumed his duties about a week later.



                            Another related topic would be biohackers or grinders, which is a term for people who experiment with cybernetic implants upon themselves. An example would be inserting small silicon-coated magnets under the fingertips, which can give the person a primitive electromagnetic sense as the magnet twitches and pushes against the nerve endings in the presence of an electrical field.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 1 hour ago









                            Chromane

                            3,274425




                            3,274425






















                                Rowyn Alloway is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










                                 

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