Şerefeddin Sabuncuoğlu: A Pioneer Surgeon of the Ottoman Era

Abstract

Sharaf al-Dīn (Şerefeddin) Sabuncuoğlu (1385-c.1468) was an innovative surgeon and a prominent illustrator who lived in the Ottoman Empire during the 15th century. His medical treatise, Kitāb al-Jarrāhiyyāt al-Khaniyya (Kitâbü'l-Cerrâhiyyetü'l-Hâniyye [Book of Imperial Surgery]; 1465), is the first illustrated surgical textbook written in Turkish. His book also provides comprehensive information about ancient Greek and Asian knowledge of medicine, including topics on gynecology, neurology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pediatrics, urology, and vascular surgery, as well as Sabuncuoğlu's own contributions to the field of surgery. Despite not being well recognized in his era, his methods were revolutionary for his time, and many remain valid even today. This review seeks to highlight Şerefeddin Sabuncuoğlu's medical treatise from a historical perspective and to shed light on its influence on modern surgery.

Keywords

• 15th century
• cauterization
• history of medicine
• medical illustration
• surgery
• turkey