Life and Creative Path of Mykola Petrovych Novachenko (on the 125th Anniversary of His Birth)

M.O. Korzh, V.O. Tankut, I.V. Holubeva, M.D. Rykun

In 2023, we mark the 125th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding orthopedist-traumatologist, scientist and surgeon, talented organizer, and remarkable teacher Mykola Petrovych Novachenko — Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Honored Scientist of Ukraine, and Corresponding Member of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR.

Mykola Petrovych was born on December 17, 1898, in the village of Buryn, Sumy region, into a middle-class peasant family. His father worked at a local sugar factory. Mykola Petrovych received his primary education at a parish school and a school at the sugar factory. He then studied for eight years at a gymnasium in Kharkiv, after which he entered the Faculty of Medicine at Kharkiv University in 1917.

In 1922, M.P. Novachenko graduated from the university and the same year began working as a resident doctor at the 1st State Ukrainian Medical-Mechanical Institute (now the State Institution “Sytenko Institute of Spine and Joint Pathology, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine”) ^[1]. It was within these walls that M.P. Novachenko developed as a surgeon and scientist. His mentors were prominent scientists of the time: Professor of Anatomy V.P. Vorobiov, founder of Ukrainian orthopedic traumatology Prof. K.F. Wegner, well-known Kharkiv pediatric orthopedist M.H. Zelenin, radiologist Prof. A.Yu. Shterman, and others ^[2].

While working at the institute, M.P. Novachenko held various positions—from resident doctor, senior assistant to chief physician, deputy director for research, and in 1943 he became head of the institute ^[1].

At the institute, Mykola Petrovych actively participated in scientific research on the issues of conservative and surgical treatment of fractures. He paid special attention to the regeneration of bone tissue and conducted experimental studies in this field, the results of which were published in scientific papers ^{[3, 4, 5]}. In December 1935, by the decision of the Central Qualification Commission of the People’s Commissariat of Health, M.P. Novachenko was awarded the degree of Candidate of Medical Sciences without defending a dissertation ^[1].

The next important stage in M.P. Novachenko’s scientific research was the study of issues related to bone transplantation—specifically, the transplantation of bone allografts and the regeneration processes of these implants.

Continuing his scientific studies, M.P. Novachenko proved that when a bone without periosteum, and even without the superficial compact layer, is transplanted into a periosteum-free bed in the human body, the source of regeneration becomes the recipient’s blood vessels. It was also proven that the success of bone grafting depends on the presence of “fresh” bone components in the graft, especially bone marrow. In addition to autografting, both allografting and heterografting can be used, and better results can be achieved when transplanting bone without the periosteum ^[6].

In total, Mykola Petrovych devoted 33 scientific works to the issues of bone tissue regeneration and transplantation. His research in these areas made a significant contribution to medical science, enriching it with new knowledge about bone healing processes and laying the theoretical foundation for the development of new technologies in both allo- and autografting. In 1940, M.P. Novachenko successfully defended his doctoral dissertation on the topic “Vascularization of Transplanted Bone (Experimental Research),” and in 1941, he was awarded the academic title of professor ^[1].

Great attention was also paid by Mykola Petrovych to the problems of treating fractures of the human musculoskeletal system. In 1940, his scientific works were published – the article “Apparatus for Skeletal Traction”, and, in co-authorship with F.O. Elyashberg, the monograph “Continuous Traction”, which summarized the institute’s many years of experience in treating patients with long bone fractures using the skeletal traction method. This was the first domestic book and educational manual for orthopaedic traumatologists, surgeons, and medical personnel. It thoroughly described the indications for skeletal traction, instruments and devices for applying this method, as well as issues of anesthesia, techniques of applying skeletal traction to the upper and lower limbs, techniques for applying a bandage after traction, and adhesive traction. This book became a desk reference for many generations of orthopaedic traumatologists, so in 1960 it was supplemented and republished by the authors ^[7].

From June 1941, with the beginning of the war, until December 1943, M.P. Novachenko worked as chief surgeon in a number of military hospitals, where he not only carried out extensive medical and pedagogical work but also continued scientific research ^[1]. He developed new original techniques for reconstructive-restorative surgeries in wounded patients with limb injuries and bone defects. Mykola Petrovych developed and successfully performed restorative surgeries on the proximal part of the femur, reconstructive surgeries for unstable knee joints, ankle joint instability, as well as after gunshot injuries to the musculoskeletal system. Along with this, he organized postoperative rehabilitation treatment of the wounded in hospitals ^{[8, 9]}.

In 1943, after the liberation of Kharkiv, M.P. Novachenko was appointed chief surgeon of the Kharkiv Military District and director of the institute ^[1]. He carried out significant work on restoring the structure of the institute, which had returned to Kharkiv after evacuation. In a short time, Mykola Petrovych restored the scientific and support points of the institute in all regions of Left-bank Ukraine, gathered leading specialists who worked in various hospitals across the regions, and they continued scientific research ^[8].

The range of scientific interests of Prof. M.P. Novachenko was very broad; he made contributions to practically all sections of orthopedics and traumatology, wrote 135 scientific works, a textbook for medical students “Fundamentals of Orthopedics and Traumatology,” and nine chapters in the multi-volume work “Surgery.” He was also the initiator and chief editor of the multi-volume international publication on orthopedics and traumatology, writing 12 chapters for it ^[2].

As director, M.P. Novachenko paid great attention to theoretical research, which serves as the foundation for applied developments. His analytical mind, deep knowledge, and scientific talent allowed him to predict promising directions for the institute’s scientific research: bone alloplasty and reparative regeneration, reconstructive-restorative surgeries for bone and joint defects, and surgeries for tumors and tumor-like diseases of bones ^{[8, 9]}.

Mykola Petrovych actively studied problems in the traumatology of the musculoskeletal system, the diagnosis and treatment of bone-joint tuberculosis, musculoskeletal pathology in children, and the organization of specialized orthopedic-traumatology care. He developed technologies for reconstructive-restorative surgeries of the hip joint in cases of pathological dislocation arising from tuberculosis or infantile coxitis, tumors, bone-joint tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, and poliomyelitis ^{[2, 8, 9]}.

In the post-war years, Mykola Petrovych paid much attention to the surgical treatment of bone-joint tuberculosis. During this time, more than 5,000 patients with bone-joint tuberculosis were treated at the institute. Institute staff developed several new methods and original surgical interventions for treating patients with tuberculosis of the hip and knee joints. Mykola Petrovych dedicated a series of scientific articles and the monograph “Surgery of Bone-Joint Tuberculosis,” co-authored with O.O. Korzh (1967), to this problem. The monograph demonstrated the role and importance of surgical methods in treating bone-joint tuberculosis, presented methods for treating tuberculosis of the joints and spine, and outlined indications and features of surgical treatment in adults and children ^[10].

Mikola Petrovich was a talented surgeon, brilliantly performing the most complex surgical interventions. Colleagues and numerous students noted his high surgical skill, impeccable technique, careful attitude toward tissues, and creative ingenuity ^[2].

Mikola Petrovich taught clinical thinking, surgical skill, scientific analysis of observations, organizational principles, and a compassionate attitude toward patients.

He prepared and mentored many young orthopedic traumatologists, under his guidance, 20 doctoral and 63 candidate dissertations were defended. His students included renowned orthopedic traumatologists such as academician O.O. Korzh, professors M.S. Bondarenko, T.A. Revenko, V.F. Trubnikov, Y.Yu. Kolontai, O.P. Skoblin, and others.

From 1926, Mikola Petrovich also taught at the Ukrainian Institute of Advanced Medical Studies. Until 1934, he was an assistant, then an associate professor (1934-1940), a professor, and head of the department (1940-1966) ^[1].

Prof. M.P. Novachenko was the initiator and organizer of the III, IV, and V congresses of orthopedic traumatologists of Ukraine (1947, 1959, 1965), as well as the I All-Union Congress of Orthopedic Traumatologists in Moscow (1963) ^[2].

From 1955 to 1966, Mikola Petrovich was the chief editor of the journal “Orthopedics, Traumatology and Prosthetics” and also headed the Kharkiv Society of Orthopedic Traumatologists (1940 – 1966).

For his outstanding scientific achievements and significant contribution to healthcare, Prof. M.P. Novachenko was awarded the title of Honoured Worker of Science of Ukraine in 1952. In 1957, he was elected a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences. He enjoyed great respect from his foreign colleagues. In 1959, he was elected an Honorary Member of the Bulgarian Society of Orthopedic Traumatologists, in 1961 – the Czechoslovak Medical Society, and in 1965 – the International Society of Orthopedic Traumatologists (SICOT) ^[1].

Mikola Petrovich’s life was cut short on October 16, 1966, in Kharkiv, but his memory is preserved in the walls of the Institute to which he devoted his life. His students and followers – academician O.O. Korzh, Prof. M.S. Bondarenko, Ph.D. F.Ye. Elyashberg – in 1968 and 2007 wrote interesting articles about the key moments of his life and scientific activities ^{[2, 9]}. The Institute’s museum has a whole section dedicated to the activities of Prof. M.P. Novachenko, and his scientific works are kept in the library, studied by young researchers. In the town of Buryn, Sumy region, Mikola Petrovich’s name was given to the local hospital, which the Institute maintains creative ties with.

In his relatively short life (68 years), Mikola Petrovich made a significant scientific and practical contribution to the development of modern orthopedics and traumatology. His scientific works inspired his students to continue developing the ideas of their teacher in the field of orthopedics and traumatology. All this contributed to the formation of the Kharkiv School of Orthopedic Traumatologists.

Mikola Petrovich’s life path and creative contribution can serve as an example for forming young scientists at the current stage of the development of science and clinical practice.

Literature.

1. Archive of the State Institution “Institute of Spine and Joint Pathology named after Prof. M.I. Sytenko NAMN of Ukraine”, Fund 1-O/s, Description 1o/s, Personal file, vol. 1-2.
2. Korzh A.A., Bondarenko N.S. Nikolai Petrovich Novachenko – Key milestones in his life and work // History of the Institute. Memories of people, fates, time… / Edited by Prof. N.A. Korzh. – Kharkiv, Prapor, 2007. – pp. 55-64.
3. Novachenko N.P. Treatment of femoral fractures / Orthopedics and Traumatology, 1931, No. 3, pp. 37-43; No. 5, pp. 50-51; No. 6, pp. 131-135.
4. Novachenko N.P. Fractures of the diaphysis of the femur and their treatment / New Surgical Archive, 1931, vol. XIII, book 1 and 2, pp. 312-319.
5. Novachenko N.P. Fractures of the tibial condyles / Orthopedics and Traumatology, 1935, No. 5, pp. 51–64.
6. Novachenko N.P. Vascularization of transplanted bone (experimental study). – State Medical Publishing House, Kyiv-Kharkiv, 1946. – 208 p.
7. Novachenko N.P., Elyashberg F.Ye. Constant traction (Methodology and technique). – State Medical Publishing House of the USSR, Kyiv, 1960. – 238 p.
8. 50 years of scientific, medical, and organizational-methodical activity of the Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology named after Prof. M.I. Sytenko (1907-1957) / Edited by Prof. N.P. Novachenko. – Kyiv, Zdorov’ya Publishing House, 1964. – 164 p.
9. Korzh A.A., Elyashberg F.Ye. Main directions in the scientific activity of N.P. Novachenko // Development of traumatology and orthopedics in the USSR. – Moscow, TsITO, 1968. – pp. 358-363.
10. Novachenko N.P., Korzh A.A. Surgery of bone-joint tuberculosis. – Kyiv, 1967. – 151 p.