Anestéziológia a intenzívna medicína 2/2022

Friedrich von Esmarch – the art of conquering bleeding

Johannes Friedrich August von Esmarch was one of the greatest surgeons in Germany in the 19th century. He worked as a surgeon. In treating soldiers, he used an elastic bandage to compress a bleeding artery, which is named after him (Esmarch bandage). In the near future, this device made it possible to perform bloodless operations. His innovation to stop bleeding is still present in surgery and emergency medicine around the world. Esmarch perfected methods of immobilization and treatment of wounds with a three-cornered scarf. He was among the first experts in Europe to organize professional first aid courses for lay people. During his military career, he introduced first aid kits for soldiers. They contained Esmarch‘s tourniquet and three-cornered (Esmarch‘s) scarf. After meeting Lister, he used the methods of antiseptic surgery. He described and implemented a minimally invasive treatment of a gunshot wound. Esmarch mask for inhalation anesthesia is important for anesthesiologists. During the application of anesthesia, he used the Esmarch maneuver to maintain the airway, which is part of basic CPR.

Keywords: Friedrich von Esmarch, Esmarch bandage, Esmarch manneuver, first aid, hemorrhage