duodenostomy

In the early 20th century, performing a duodenostomy was considered very unsafe.

After discovering two other surgeons who had used a similar technique, Welch reported this new method of performing a duodenostomy to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 1949.

Two of the more important developments in surgery advanced by Welch included the development of a safe method of performing a catheter duodenostomy and performing the first replacement of an artery with a vein graft at MGH.