Leonid Rogozov was a Soviet general practitioner who took part in the sixth Soviet Antarctic Expedition in 1960-1961.
He was the only doctor staioned at the Novolazarevskaya Station and, while there, he had to perform an appendectomy on himself, a famous case of self-surgery.
Rogozov wrote in his diary
"It seems that I have appendicitis. I am keeping quit about it, even smiling . Why frighten my friends? Who could be of help? A polar explorer's only encounter with medicine is likely to have been in a dentist's chair."
All the available conservative treatment was applied (antibiotics, local cooling), but the patient's general condition was getting worse: his body temperature rose, vomiting became more frequent.
"I did not sleep at all last night.
It hurts like the devil!...
Still no obvious symptoms that perforation is imminent, but an oppressive feeling of foreboding hangs over me...
This is it ....
I have to think through the only possible way out: to operate on myself ....
It's almost impossible...
But I can't just fold my arms and give up. "
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 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.
When thoughts like these were put to him, he usually answered with a smile and the words: "A job like any other, a life like any other".