Evolution of Surgery in the Ottoman Empire: From Islamic Heritage to Modern Practice Publisher



Tajik N ; Zargaran A
Source: Journal of Research on History of Medicine Published:2025

Abstract

Surgery, as a fundamental branch of medicine, has evolved over centuries across different civilizations. In the Islamic world, pioneers such as Zahrawi, Avicenna, and other scholars advanced surgical practice both theoretically and practically. With the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century, this heritage was transferred to Anatolia and Istanbul, adapting to unique sociopolitical, military, and cultural circumstances. Early Ottoman surgery relied on Islamic texts and Persian translations, with notable figures including Sherefeddin Sabuncuoglu (1385–1468), Surgeon Ibrahim (active around 1505), and Ali Mensi (d. 1733) contributing to both practical techniques and theoretical knowledge. Iranian physicians such as Hakim Mohammad Sabzevari and Ghyath alDin Sabzevari also played key roles in transmitting surgical knowledge. By the 19th century, the Tanzimat reforms and the establishment of Istanbul Medical School Integrated European methods, marking the emergence of modern surgery in the Ottoman Empire. © Journal of Research on History of Medicine.