Joachim Friedrich Henckel

Joachim Friedrich Henckel (March 4, 1712 in Paslek – July 1, 1779) was a Prussian surgeon at Charite hospital in Berlin.

His publications include Medical and Surgical Observations (1744).

In 1769, Henckel conducted the first Caesarean section to incise the linea alba on a living woman. The child survived, though the mother later died, probably due to peritonitis. The surgery drew so much attention that King Frederick II named Henckel professor of surgery and a Court Counselor. From 1773 to 1779, Henckel served as director of the Charite.