Friedrich Wilhelm Scanzoni von Lichtenfels

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Friedrich Wilhelm Scanzoni von Lichtenfels (December 21, 1821 - June 12, 1891) was a German gynecologist and obstetrician who was a native of Prague. He studied medicine in Prague, and spent most of his professional career as chair of obstetrics (1850-1888) at the University of Würzburg, where he succeeded Franz Kiwisch von Rotterau^[1].

Scanzoni was a leading authority of obstetrics in 19th century Europe. He is best remembered today for the birthing procedure known as the Scanzoni maneuver. In 1849 he was a major factor in the appointment of Rudolf Virchow to the chair of pathological anatomy at the University of Würzburg. He was an ardent critic of Ignaz Semmelweis.

Associated eponyms:
Scanzoni maneuver: (Scanzoni forceps technique) A method of applying an obstetrical forceps in order to rotate a fetus.
Scanzoni's second os: (hourglass uterine constriction) A constriction at the junction of the thinned lower uterine segment with the thick retracted upper uterine segment. This condition results from obstructed labor, and is a sign of threatened rupture of the uterus.