Berish Strauch, Pioneer of Plastic Surgery, Dies at 90
Early Life and Career
Berish Strauch, a renowned plastic surgeon known for his groundbreaking procedures and innovative medical devices, passed away on December 24 in Greenwich, Conn. He was 90 years old. His daughter, Laurie Strauch Weiss, confirmed that he died of respiratory failure while in the hospital.
Dr. Strauch was a pioneer in the field of plastic surgery, particularly in microsurgery. He was at the forefront of a revolution that utilized microscopes and precision instruments to sew together minuscule blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments. As the chief of reconstructive surgery at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, he developed numerous surgical techniques and technologies that are now considered commonplace, including procedures for removing excess skin after significant weight loss.
Revolutionizing Plastic Surgery
One of Dr. Strauch’s notable achievements was the successful toe-to-thumb transplant, which he performed on a New York City firefighter who had lost his thumb in 1976. Unable to reattach the thumb, Dr. Strauch suggested an innovative solution: replacing it with the firefighter’s big toe. The surgery was a success, and the firefighter was able to return to work within a few months.
Dr. Strauch was also known for his use of leeches to aid in blood flow and tissue removal after surgery. Despite the seemingly archaic nature of this technique, he believed that leeches were ideally suited for these purposes.
A Remarkable Contribution to Urology
Dr. Strauch made significant contributions to the field of urology, including the creation of the Strauch clamp, a device used in vasectomy reversals. However, his most notable innovation was the invention of the first inflatable penile prosthesis.
Prior to Dr. Strauch’s invention, artificial penises were either permanently flaccid or permanently erect, which was unsatisfactory for many patients. His prosthetic penis, connected to a fluid reservoir inside the body, allowed patients to achieve erections by activating a pump. While the process required manual reversal, it marked a significant improvement in the field.
Personal Life and Legacy
Berish Strauch, known informally as Bob, was born on September 19, 1933, in the Bronx. His parents, Herman and Anna Strauch, worked in the garment district of Manhattan. Inspired by their use of scissors and knives, he developed an early interest in surgery.
He attended the Bronx High School of Science and graduated from Columbia University, where he studied pre-med, in 1955. After completing medical school at Columbia, he pursued fellowships at Roosevelt Hospital in New York and Stanford Hospital in California. He returned to the Bronx to join the staff at Montefiore, eventually becoming the chief of plastic surgery in 1978.
Dr. Strauch’s wife, Rena Feuerstein, passed away just eight weeks before his own death. He is survived by their children, Laurie and Robert, who is also a noted hand surgeon, as well as seven grandchildren and his sister, Renee Freed. The family resided in Rye, New York.
Though Dr. Strauch largely avoided the public spotlight, he played a significant role in the medical community. He notably assisted Mary Jo Buttafuoco, a victim of a high-profile shooting in the 1990s, by performing extensive surgery to restore her facial features.
Berish Strauch’s contributions to plastic surgery and urology have left an indelible mark on the medical field. His pioneering techniques and innovative devices have helped countless patients and will continue to shape the future of medicine.
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