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Surgery is diverse

After a good job, your signature.

Not everybody can work as a surgeon. A significant problem-solving capacity, resistance, in addition to great commitment, are required. This profession demands sacrifices from all its professionals, and special mention should be made to woman surgeons, as it has always been even more challenging for them.

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Surgery from a woman’s perspective

In our series, B. Braun introduces brilliant female surgeons whose professional commitment is above any existing obstacle.

Dr. Andrea María Andreacchio

Surgeon at Hospital General de Agudos Parmenio Piñero, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Dr. Andrea María Andreacchio from Argentina shares her story about commitment, empowerment and the balancing act between surgery and motherhood. Find out what she calls her greatest achievement.

Prof. Lydia Cairncross

Surgeon at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

Prof. Lydia Cairncross talks about unconscious biases, the phenomenon of leaky pipelines and glass ceilings – but also about being a mother and head of general surgery. Find out why she fell in love with surgery.

Dr. Lorenza Driul

Surgeon at Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friul Centrale, Udine, Italy

What are those "specific actions that should be implemented to help bridge the gap in gender inequalities" in surgery? Find out what Dr. Lorenza Driul, gynecological surgeon from Italy, is claiming for.

Prof. Dr. Natascha C. Nüssler

Surgeon at München Klinik Neuperlach, Munich, Germany

Prof. Dr. Natascha Nüssler from Germany shares her story about capabilities, performance and obstacles. Check out why women should dare to choose a surgical specialty while also demanding equality.

Dr. Pilar Pinto

Surgeon at Río Hortega University Hospital, Valladolid, Spain

Dr. Pilar Pinto from Spain talks about women in surgery, their challenges and why surgery demands sacrifices but is also a fulfilling specialization.

Woman surgeons: a history full of pitfalls

Although it is known that women already practiced surgery even 3500 years before Christ,^[1] they had to do it without formal education, without recognition or in secret.Many stories prove the barriers for women to be surgeons and it is well known that women even impersonated men to be able to practice. The most famous case, in the 19th century, is that of Dr. James Barry, the first surgeon to perform a successful Caesarean section, turned out to be a woman: Margaret Ann Bulkley.^[2]

There is a shortage of female surgeons

Yet today, although the number of women has increased in medicine, female surgeons are still a minority, and they are poorly represented in positions of greater responsibility and leadership.

The reasons why women choose more non-surgical specialties are diverse. Gender stereotypes and the social perception of women’s role have much to do with it.

On the other hand, it is difficult to put aside the reputation of male stronghold that surgery always had. This can discourage women from choosing a profession that is considered demanding and competitive, in a world in which there are still environments where women’s skills are questioned.

Illustration of a female surgeon with the slogan "After a good job, your signature."

Looking ahead

The number of female surgeons must grow all over the world. We can all contribute to the change. Surgical associations, universities and hospitals can establish specific plans to approach gender-based discrimination and not to professionally penalize women with children. Personally, each surgeon can contribute to it. And also the industry.

Therefore, from B. Braun we would also like to make our own contribution in the road to equity in surgery, giving visibility and voice to female surgeons, not only for them to be a role model and motivation for new generations, but also because we are proud of them.

B. Braun sutures and surgical specialties

Clotting, sealing and closing marks the end of every surgery and plays a decisive role for the patient’s quality of life. B. Braun provides innovative wound closure technologies and service.

Discover more

[1] Wirtzfeld, Debrah A. “The history of women in surgery.” Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie vol. 52,4 (2009): 317-320.

[2] Bourjeily, Ghada, and Sangeeta Mehta. “Gender diversity in Obstetric Medicine.” Obstetric medicine vol. 12,2 (2019): 55-56. doi:10.1177/1753495X19851711

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