Les lundis de l'UTL : Conférence : Ambroise PARÉ, père de la chirurgie moderne

Philippe MICHAUD, surgeon and obstetrician-gynecologist. Ambroise PARE lived through the 16th century, the tipping point between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. A battlefield surgeon due to his initial training as a barber, and gifted with a practical mind, he became, among other things, surgeon to the Kings of France. He advanced surgery by demonstrating the superiority of ligatures over cauterizations in amputations, by eliminating the use of boiling oil for the treatment of firearms, and by creating multiple prostheses, including the palatal prosthesis to treat cleft palates. He had a demanding conception of his profession, both technically and humanly, coupled with a genius for communication, publishing books in French, much to the chagrin of doctors for whom Latin was the official language. His numerous works were published throughout Europe, allowing the dissemination of his techniques. He fought against beliefs and, through his professionalism and humanism, was able to rise above political and religious conflicts. His work paved the way for modern surgery, which, even in the 21st century, owes him a great deal.

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