Hermaphroditism, surgical reconstruction of the anatomy of the gonads in ancient Greece as described by Diodorus Siculus (ca 80-20 BC)

Abstract

Background: Ancient Greek medico-philosophers comprehended a series of genitalia disorders and were able to perform surgical operations for their correction. Although researchers believe that the first plastic surgery of pseudo-hermaphroditism was performed by Persians in 11th century AD, a series of intersex individual cases were reported in the work of the ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus. Methods: Bibliographical study of Diodorus' treatises. Results: The report of a patient named Callo, who was raised as a female and was surgically transformed into a young male, was included in Diodorus' works. Diodorus described that the operation was performed surprisingly by a pharmacist, testifying the extent and depth of medical knowledge among ancient Greeks. The operation included cicatrization and placement of an artificial urethra in the non-perforated penis. Conclusions: The operation was for the era an innovative procedure ahead of its time, a hallmark of cosmetic and plastic surgery.