Archaeological evidence shows that surgical procedureswere already being performed in the Stone Age.

In the Inca Empire and Ancient Egypt, skulls were also opened to remove foreign bodies or treat pain. Over the course of thousands of years, surgical methods have been revolutionized.

From the first medical teachings and surgical experiments in ancient times to complex organ transplants and brain surgery, this has been a long road full of suffering, mistakes, and medical dead ends.

To solve the mystery of how the human body works and to be able to perform major operations, doctors had to overcome numerous obstacles and take great risks. Quite a few patients and doctors paid for the development of new treatment methods with their lives.

With outstanding archive material and international interview partners, the film tells the story of surgery. A fascinating journey from ancient times to heart transplants and minimally invasive robot-assisted procedures.

 

Broadcasting Hours: 

DW English

Part 1 

TUE 09.12.2025 – 01:15 UTC
TUE 09.12.2025 – 04:15 UTC
WED 10.12.2025 – 09:15 UTC
WED 10.12.2025 – 16:15 UTC
WED 10.12.2025 – 21:15 UTC
THU 11.12.2025 – 12:15 UTC
SAT 13.12.2025 – 08:15 UTC
SUN 14.12.2025 – 13:15 UTC

Part 2 

TUE 16.12.2025 – 01:15 UTC
TUE 16.12.2025 – 04:15 UTC
WED 17.12.2025 – 09:15 UTC
WED 17.12.2025 – 16:15 UTC
WED 17.12.2025 – 21:15 UTC
THU 18.12.2025 – 12:15 UTC
SAT 20.12.2025 – 08:15 UTC
SUN 21.12.2025 – 13:15 UTC

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