Jacques Mathieu Delpech

Jacques Mathieu Delpech (1777 - October 28, 1832} was a French surgeon born in Toulouse. He earned his doctorate from the University of Paris in 1801 and spent the next several years as a teacher of anatomy in Toulouse. In 1812 be became a surgeon at Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Eloi in Montpellier, where he remained until his death in 1832.

Delpech is best known for his work in orthopedics, and he established a clinic for orthopaedic diseases at Saint-Eloi. There he advocated a surgical process known as "tenotomy" to correct contracture abnormalities of the extremities. He was also a pioneer concerning skin grafting and rhinoplasty, and is credited for documenting the first rhinoplastic operation in France.

Delpech's life was cut short when he was shot and killed by a patient on October 28, 1832.

Partial Bibliography

 * Réflexions et observations anatomico-chirurgicales sur l’anévrisme 1809, (Translation of Antonio Scarpa's (1752-1832) work on aneurysms).
 * Précis des maladies chirurgicales, 1815
 * Chirurgie clinique de Montpellier, 1823
 * Orthomorphie, 1829
 * Mémorial des hôpitaux du Midi, 1831