Baron Dominique-Jean Larrey (1766-1842): innovator of the triage.

BACKGROUND: During times of war, it is common for some of the most valiant physicians to practice their skills at the battlefields. Only few of them, however, manage to excel. Among those physicians who seemed like the battlefield was their natural environment, was the military surgeon of the French army, Baron Dominique Jean Larrey (1766-1842). He studied medicine and served in the French Navy. Baron Larrey was one of the most significant medical innovators. METHODS: International literature was digitally searched. DISCUSSION: Larrey optimized a variety of procedures, even early neurosurgical ones. He also wrote medical treatises and most importantly invented the world famous 'flying ambulance'. During his 53-year service in the army he became the symbol of protection of the French warrior. That is why he was widely known as the 'protector of the soldier'. Nevertheless, his most eminent invention was the formation of the new 'triage' method. Due to Larrey's priceless impact in the domain of surgical innovation, a notable NATO award was created that is named after him. CONCLUSION: All references presented describe clearly Baron Larrey's contribution to medicine. His innovations in the sphere of the medical science renovated radically the medical ideas of his era.

The Coronoid Anatomical Variation of the Masseter Muscle: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Masseter muscle is considered to consist of two layers: the superficial and the deep parts. However, in the literature a few cases have been reported of a third layer of the masseter muscle, which is called the coronoid part. The aim of this study is to present such a rare case of the coronoid part of the masseter muscle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our study, a case report is presented and enhanced by searching the existing literature in PubMed for other similar cases that recorded the coronoid part of the masseter muscle. RESULTS: The coronoid part of the masseter muscle was found in a male cadaver of Greek origin that was dissected in the Department of Anatomy, Medical School Athens, Greece. CONCLUSIONS: Good knowledge of anatomy and variations of the masseter muscle are of paramount importance due to their clinical and functional applications as well as during surgical procedures in this anatomical region.