Howard M Frykman Memorial Lecture

Howard Martin Frykman was born in North Dakota on February 24, 1917.  He took his undergraduate medical training at the University of Minnesota.  During his medical school days he became interested in neurosurgery and neuroanatomy.  He obtained a master’s degree in neuroanatomy, following which he took a year out and did research work in the field of neuroanatomy.  He received his M.D. degree in 1943, after a two and a half year stint in the United States Army, during which he was injured in the battle of Guadalcanal.  He returned to complete his surgical fellowship and his postgraduate training in colon and rectal surgery.

Early on in his career he was interested in chronic ulcerative colitis and did some of the original research work with Professor Clarence Dennis on the role of vagotomy as a therapeutic approach to patients with ulcerative colitis.  In addition, he had an early interest in rectal procidentia and popularized an intra-abdominal repair combining several other previously described techniques.  His other interests had to do with sepsis associated with bowel surgery.  He was impressed early on with the relationship between antibiotics and postantibiotic proctocolitis and this attracted him to the use of an intraluminal bowel prep, which is still being utilized today.

Dr. Frykman was a meticulous surgeon who popularized the closed hemorrhoidectomy technique here in the Twin Cities area.  He had taken his early training under the tutelage of Dr. Walter Fansler, however he had modified the Fansler technique with the complete closure of all the anorectal wounds.

At the time of his untimely death Dr. Frykman was Clinical Professor of Surgery in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery.  He was also a member of the Council of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.  He had just returned from England when he was found to have a hypernephroma.  Howard M. Frykman expired on October 2, 1969, survived by his wife and two sons.  Since 1970, the Howard M. Frykman, M.D., Memorial Lecture has been an integral part of the annual Colon and Rectal Surgery: Principles and Practice continuing education course held by the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at the University of Minnesota.