Positive-pressure ventilation, spinal anesthesia, and Rudolph Matas: the anesthetic contributions of an inquisitive surgical legend.

Dr. Rudolph Matas, in addition to being one of the pioneering and most prestigious vascular surgeons of the 19th century, was an influential figure in the development of anesthesiology in the United States (US). His inquisitive nature and determination to understand medicine were tremendous influences in his development of innovative approaches to solve surgical and medical problems. Driven by such curiosity and determination, Dr. Matas made pivotal contributions in the historical timeline of current anesthesiological practice, including the use of spinal anesthesia and positive-pressure ventilation during thoracotomies.