The Thoma Ionescu - Victor Gomoiu Procedure: Cervicothoracic Sympathectomy for Angina Pectoris. The First Surgical Attempt to Treat the Coronary Heart Disease
Cătălin Vasilescu, Monica Salmen, Andrei BoboceaHistory of medicine, no. 3, 2016
Cervicothoracic Sympathectomy is a common indication in the treatment of Raynaud Syndrome, Palmar Hyperhidrosis or Acute Ischemia of the superior limb. Nonetheless, almost a century ago it represented one of the first innovative attempts in curing coronary heart disease. Nowadays, this indication is no more than a footnote in a volume on the History of Medicine and a trivia fact for medical history enthusiasts. The operation’s history is rather conflicting. A young Romaninan surgeon, Victor Gomoiu seems to have come up with the idea, in the early 20th centry. However, his contribution remains unknown, after his successful collaboration with the famous surgeon and anatomist, Thoma Ionescu unfortunately turns into a dispute. This procedure was once thought cutting-edge. Furthermore it is the starting point for cardiovascular surgery. Whoever sparked the idea, gains an important place in the hall of fame of international surgery, that is why it is important to know its creator.
