The Innovator of Electrosurgery

Hemostasis has been a major risk in the surgical field, causing Halsted to preach for the need for better control of bleeding to improve the morbidity and mortality many surgeons faced at the time. This problem, while combated by suturing methods for many, remained an issue in the neurosurgical field. Dr. Cushing sought out the help of William Bovie, leading to the creation of electrosurgery. This invention changed the way surgery could be performed and remains to be a mainstay in the operating room and countless other procedures, withstanding the test of time and proving its importance in the surgical world.