John Birkett

Biography

• Born on April 14, 1815, Upper Clapton, Middlesex, England
• 1837 – MRCS
• 1844 – FRCS
• Died on July 6, 1904 at London, England

Medical Eponyms

Pipkin femoral head fracture (1957)

Classification system for femoral head fractures usually in association with hip dislocations.

1869 – Birkett provided the first published case description of femoral head fracture. Birkett reported the case of a 35-year-old woman who died following a fall from a window. Autopsy demonstrated left hip dislocation with a femoral head fracture.

On further examination it was discovered that a portion of the head of the femur had been broken off. This fragment, to which the greater part of the ligamentum teres was still attached, remained in the acetabulum.

Authorities upon the subject of dislocations of the joints do not even allude to this complication. Malgaigne states “Les luxations du femur ne sont guere compliquees que de fractures soit des os du bassin, soit du femur meme soit d’autres os plus eloignes (The luxations of the femur are but little complicated with fractures, either of the pelvic bones, the femur itself, or more distant bones)” 

Having failed to find a parallel case in the book of Robert W. Smith of Dublin, I wrote to that gentleman who did me the favour to reply as follows “Although tolerably familiar with the literature of fractures and luxations I am not aware of any similar injury having been placed on record as happening to the head of the femur.” 

We have then, probably, under observation an injury hitherto undescribed.

Birkett 1869

Birkett hernia: inguinal hernia where the sac extends into the anterior or inferior wall [aka Synovial hernia]

Birkett forceps; Birkett artery forceps; Birkett haemostatic forceps

Major Publications

• von Behr A. Handbook of human anatomy, general, species and topographical. [English adaptation Birkett] 1847
• Birkett J. The diseases of the breast, and their treatment. 1850
• Birkett J. Adenocele of the mammary gland. 1859
• Birkett J. On the causes of death after amputation. 1859
• Birkett J. Series V. Cartilaginous and bony growths. In: Contributions to the practical surgery of new growths or tumours. 1866
• Birkett J. A contribution to the surgical pathology of sero-sanguineous cysts in the neck and axilla. 1868
• Birkett J. On the mortality arising from abdominal hernia: with suggestions for its diminution. 1868
• Birkett J. Description of a dislocation of the head of the femur, complicated with its fracture. Medico-Chirurgical Transactions. 1869; 52: 133-140

References

Biography

• Obituary: John Birkett FRCS Eng. Lancet 1904; 164(4220): 182-184
• Obituary: John Birkett, F.R.C.S. Br Med J. 1904; 2(2272): 154–155.
• Biography: Birkett, John (1815 – 1904). Plarr’s Lives of the Fellows Online. Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Eponymous terms