07/02/2026
He was the only doctor. In Antarctica. With appendicitis. So he operated on himself.
Leonid Rogozov was just 27 years old when he developed appendicitis at a remote Soviet Antarctic station in 1961. No evacuation. No other doctor. No choice.
He laid on the operating table, gave two teammates basic instructions, and cut into his own stomach — without general anesthesia.
Two hours later he'd removed his own appendix and stitched himself back up.
Two weeks later he was back on his feet. 🧊🩺
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