Step by step

”If in doubt, leave a drain…”

Lawson Tait

Lawson Tait was born in Edinburgh in 1845. He was a pioneer of many principles in abdominal surgery that still remain relevant. By modern standards he would be a gynaecologist, although the term was unknown during his career. Tait was an early adopter of aseptic surgery, rather than the then more popular antiseptic surgery. He controversially pioneered the early drainage of intra-abdominal pus and abscesses, his classic publication being The Principle of Exploratory and Confirmatory Incisions. Tait used the phrase living pathology, arguing for diagnosis and intervention before an autopsy. One of his key approaches was the control of the blood supply of organs before attempting their removal, surgery 101 today. He turned the mortality of ectopic pregnancy on its head, with a safe approach to emergency salpingectomy. Likewise for oophorectomy and appendicectomy. The use of pelvic drains and copious saline lavage, still core techniques in 2026, were championed by Tait. #asmodernastomorrow #letsmakelemonade