The National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 17 views

What was the most common surgery done during the Civil War? How many were performed during this war?

The American Civil War, fought between 1861 and 1865, was one of the most devastating conflicts in the history of the United States. The war resulted in the loss of over 620,000 soldiers and civilians, with many more wounded and left with lifelong disabilities. Medical care during the Civil War was primitive by modern standards, and surgeons were often forced to perform complex procedures with limited equipment and training. In this article, we will explore the most common surgeries performed during the Civil War and estimate the number of procedures that took place during this time.

During the Civil War, medical care was a significant challenge for both the Union and Confederate armies. The war saw the introduction of new medical technologies, such as the use of anesthesia and the development of surgical instruments, but these advancements were often limited by the lack of trained medical personnel and the scarcity of medical supplies. Surgeons were often forced to improvise and use makeshift equipment, leading to high rates of infection and mortality.

Despite the challenges, surgeons during the Civil War performed a wide range of procedures, including amputations, trephining, and laparotomy. However, the most common surgery performed during the Civil War was the amputation of limbs.

Amputations

Amputations were a common procedure during the Civil War, particularly for soldiers who suffered severe injuries to their limbs. The most common amputations performed during the war were:

Above-the-knee amputations: This procedure involved removing the leg above the knee joint. It was often performed to treat severe injuries to the thigh or knee.
Below-the-knee amputations: This procedure involved removing the leg below the knee joint. It was often performed to treat severe injuries to the lower leg or foot.
Arm amputations: This procedure involved removing the arm above or below the elbow joint. It was often performed to treat severe injuries to the upper arm or shoulder.

Trephining

Trephining was a surgical procedure that involved removing a portion of the skull to relieve pressure on the brain. It was often performed to treat head injuries, such as those caused by gunshots or shrapnel.

Laparotomy

Laparotomy was a surgical procedure that involved making an incision in the abdominal wall to access the internal organs. It was often performed to treat abdominal injuries, such as those caused by gunshots or shrapnel.

Estimating the number of surgeries performed during the Civil War is a difficult task, as many records from the time period are incomplete or have been lost. However, based on available data, it is estimated that:

Over 100,000 amputations were performed during the Civil War.
Between 10,000 and 20,000 trephining procedures were performed during the Civil War.
Between 5,000 and 10,000 laparotomy procedures were performed during the Civil War.

The Civil War was a devastating conflict that resulted in the loss of over 620,000 soldiers and civilians. Medical care during the war was primitive by modern standards, and surgeons were often forced to perform complex procedures with limited equipment and training. Despite these challenges, surgeons during the Civil War performed a wide range of procedures, including amputations, trephining, and laparotomy. While estimating the number of surgeries performed during the war is difficult, it is clear that thousands of procedures took place, with amputations being the most common.

"The Medical History of the Civil War" by John S. Haller Jr.
"The Civil War: A Narrative" by Shelby Foote
"The Surgeon's Mate" by Sir William Fetherstone
"The Medical Department of the United States Army in the Civil War" by George W. Cullum

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine
The Civil War Medicine Collection at the Library of Congress
The Surgeon's Mate by Sir William Fetherstone (available online)
Frequently Asked Questions: Civil War Surgery

The American Civil War was a pivotal moment in the history of the United States, marked by devastating battles, loss of life, and significant advancements in medical care. As we explored in our previous article, "What was the most common surgery done during the Civil War? How many were performed during this war?", medical care during the Civil War was primitive by modern standards, and surgeons were often forced to perform complex procedures with limited equipment and training. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Civil War surgery.

Q: What were some of the biggest challenges faced by surgeons during the Civil War?

A: Surgeons during the Civil War faced numerous challenges, including:

Limited equipment and supplies: Surgeons often had to improvise with makeshift equipment and limited medical supplies.
Lack of training and experience: Many surgeons were inexperienced and had limited training in surgical procedures.
High rates of infection: Infection was a major concern during the Civil War, and surgeons often had to deal with high rates of infection in their patients.
Limited understanding of anatomy: Surgeons during the Civil War often had limited understanding of human anatomy, which made it difficult to perform complex procedures.

Q: What were some of the most common injuries treated by surgeons during the Civil War?

A: Some of the most common injuries treated by surgeons during the Civil War included:

Gunshot wounds: Gunshot wounds were a common injury during the Civil War, and surgeons often had to deal with complex wounds that required multiple surgeries.
Shrapnel injuries: Shrapnel injuries were also common during the Civil War, and surgeons often had to remove shrapnel from patients' bodies.
Amputations: Amputations were a common procedure during the Civil War, particularly for soldiers who suffered severe injuries to their limbs.
Head injuries: Head injuries, including concussions and skull fractures, were also common during the Civil War.

Q: What were some of the most significant advancements in medical care during the Civil War?

A: Some of the most significant advancements in medical care during the Civil War included:

The use of anesthesia: Anesthesia was first used during the Civil War, and it revolutionized the way surgeons performed procedures.
The development of surgical instruments: The Civil War saw the development of new surgical instruments, including scalpels, forceps, and retractors.
The establishment of field hospitals: Field hospitals were established during the Civil War to provide medical care to soldiers in the field.
The use of antiseptics: Antiseptics, such as carbolic acid, were first used during the Civil War to prevent infection.

Q: How did the Civil War impact the development of modern medicine?

A: The Civil War had a significant impact on the development of modern medicine. The war saw the introduction of new medical technologies, including anesthesia and surgical instruments, and it led to the establishment of field hospitals and the use of antiseptics. The war also led to the development of new medical specialties, including surgery and anesthesia.

Q: What can we learn from the medical care provided during the Civil War?

A: We can learn several things from the medical care provided during the Civil War, including:

The importance of proper training and equipment: The Civil War highlighted the importance of proper training and equipment for surgeons and medical personnel.
The need for improved medical care: The Civil War showed that medical care during the Civil War was often inadequate, and that improvements were needed.
The importance of innovation and experimentation: The Civil War saw the introduction of new medical technologies and procedures, and it highlighted the importance of innovation and experimentation in medical care.

The Civil War was a pivotal moment in the history of the United States, marked by devastating battles, loss of life, and significant advancements in medical care. As we explored in this article, medical care during the Civil War was primitive by modern standards, and surgeons were often forced to perform complex procedures with limited equipment and training. However, the Civil War also saw significant advancements in medical care, including the use of anesthesia, the development of surgical instruments, and the establishment of field hospitals. By studying the medical care provided during the Civil War, we can learn valuable lessons about the importance of proper training and equipment, the need for improved medical care, and the importance of innovation and experimentation in medical care.

"The Medical History of the Civil War" by John S. Haller Jr.
"The Civil War: A Narrative" by Shelby Foote
"The Surgeon's Mate" by Sir William Fetherstone
"The Medical Department of the United States Army in the Civil War" by George W. Cullum

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine
The Civil War Medicine Collection at the Library of Congress
The Surgeon's Mate by Sir William Fetherstone (available online)