Viktor Ritter von Hacker was born in 1852 in Vienna, where he also studied and received his doctorate. After working in pathology and internal medicine, he became a student of Theodor Billroth in 1880, remaining with him for seven years.

He wrote a detailed report on the techniques and experiences of gastric surgery at Billroth’s clinic. In 1883, he summarized his extensive studies on antiseptic wound treatment in a comprehensive instructional guide. The method known as the “endless bougie” (Sonde ohne Ende) for bougienage treatment was named after him. For this, he introduced a strong silk thread on which steel beads of increasing diameter were strung—a precursor of the Eder–Püstow bougienage.

He also played a major role in the development of esophagoscopy. In 1889, he began his groundbreaking work on the esophagus, starting with studies on caustic injuries. In 1900, he published a large, comprehensive monograph on injuries and diseases of the esophagus and their treatment. He also published important contributions on pyloric stenosis, gastric tumors and stenoses, and on a technique for pharyngeal and esophageal reconstruction.

From 1895 to 1903, he served as full professor (Ordinarius) in Innsbruck, before moving to Graz as Ordinarius, where he died in 1924 at the age of 72.