The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus.

The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus is undoubtedly one of the most significant medical texts ever discovered. It is of particular interest to neurosurgeons because of its specific references to ancient neurosurgical cases and is the first written record of many terms of neurosurgical interest. This review describes the colorful and controversial history of the Edwin Smith Papyrus and gives translations of four cases of neurosurgical interest.