On the Shoulders of Giants Through the Lens of the Laparoscope Dr. Harry Reich: Empathy, Optics and Courage.

Harry Reich, MD, FACOG, FRCOG, FACS is known worldwide as a pioneer in the field of laparoscopic surgery. He performed the first laparoscopic hysterectomy, the first pelvic lymphadenectomy for cancer, and the first excision of cul-de-sac endometriosis that included rectal resection. This article explores his life and contributions. The author knew Dr. Reich from medical conferences over many years and visited Dr. Reich in Pennsylvania to observe him in the operating room. For this article, the author spoke with Dr. Reich on nearly a nightly basis over a 13-month period in 2022 and 2023. Dr. Reich's descriptions were cross-referenced with his publications and those of his peers. The author also interviewed physicians who worked closely with Dr. Reich and reviewed the trial transcript of the February 1980 Nesbitt Memorial Hospital special ad hoc investigatory committee. The result is a comprehensive review spanning from Dr. Reich's early life to his ultimate recognition as one of the most significant innovators of advanced laparoscopic surgery. The author concluded that Dr. Reich's accomplishments are rooted in his command of pelvic anatomy, his lifelong interest in surgery and his willingness to challenge existing surgical dogma. By attending medical school in Ireland, Dr. Reich benefitted from the deep study of anatomy offered there. He also had a unique background of being a Harvard-trained gynecologic surgeon practicing in Wilkes-Barre, a small Pennsylvania community that trusted him because both his parents practiced medicine there before him. Dr. Reich favored conservative surgery rather than hysterectomy for endometriosis and patiently excised deep disease, offering relief to countless women, at times without compensation. He exhibited astonishing bravery and perseverance in the face of scathing criticism. Dr. Harry Reich's empathy for his patients and willingness to challenge the status quo were pivotal in improving the lives of many thousands of women and revolutionizing gynecologic surgery.

Clinical Perspective Concerning Abdominal Entry Techniques.

OBJECTIVE: Entry into the abdomen during operative laparoscopy is a source of some controversy regarding the safest and most useful method. The objective of this review is to describe, compare, and contrast the most popular entry techniques. DATA SOURCES: Data were collected from the historical starting point until present day from English language journal articles and book chapters. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Descriptive accounts dating back to the start of laparoscopy in the 1970s and spanning to present day well-designed randomized controlled trials and Cochrane reviews were compiled to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness and safety of abdominal entry techniques. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: The most common sites of entry are the umbilicus and the left upper quadrant. Between the Veress needle, direct trocar insertion, and open entry there is no high-quality evidence to suggest that any of these offers a universal safety advantage. The Veress needle is still the most used among gynecologists and facilitates primary trocar placement. Direct trocar entry under laparoscopic visualization may be underused, is faster, and may result in fewer failed entries. Open (Hasson) entry can be more technically challenging, but may be best for patients with suspected intra-abdominal adhesions. CONCLUSION: Surgeon comfort is critical in choosing the entry site, method, and equipment. Surgeon familiarity with entry-failure troubleshooting, possible complications, and management is essential because major entry complications are rare in modern laparoscopy but critical because the essential steps of recognition and management can be lifesaving.

Surgical Trends and Time Frame Comparison of Surgical Types of Hysterectomy: A Nationwide, Population-based 15-year Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical trends among different types of hysterectomy (abdominal, vaginal, laparoscopic, and subtotal) over a 15-year period in Taiwan. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A population-based National Health Insurance Research Database. PATIENTS: Women undergoing various types of hysterectomy for noncancerous lesions. INTERVENTIONS: Data for this study were extracted from the inpatient expenditures by admissions files of Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from 1998 through 2012 and divided into three 5-year time frames: first (1998-2002), second (2003-2007), and third (2008-2012). The variables included types of hysterectomy, patient age, gynecologist age and sex, hospital accreditation level, and surgical volume. Chi-square and trend tests were used to examine the association between the variables. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 329 438 patients who underwent various types of hysterectomy were identified; 306 257 were included in the study. During the 15-year period, 45% underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, 41% underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH), 9.8% underwent vaginal hysterectomy, and 4.2% underwent subtotal abdominal hysterectomy. The frequency of LHs increased from 35.9% in the first period to 43.9% in the second period and remained at 44.2% in the third period. During the same time period, there was a decrease in the frequency of total abdominal hysterectomies. Typically, younger patients underwent LHs by gynecologists with large volume surgical practices and medical centers. CONCLUSION: This 15-year study describes an increase of LHs and subtotal abdominal hysterectomies over time and provides evidence of surgical trends and a paradigm shift of hysterectomies. Surgical skills and performance extended from high- to low-surgical volume gynecologists and from medical centers to regional and local hospitals. This shift may have a great influence on patient and health care provider choice of treatment.

Total mesorectal excision - 40 years of standard of rectal cancer surgery.

Total mesorectal excision (TME) was first described 40 years ago by Richard Heald. The purpose of this article is to point out importance of this surgical procedure. Starting from first attempts to surgically cure rectal carcinoma in the nineteenth century through Miles' operation at the beginning of the twentieth century results were not satisfactory due to high number of local recurrences after resections for rectal cancer. Progress in surgical technique and knowledge of anatomy and embryology of the rectum led to development of TME. Principle of TME is surprisingly simple: removal of the rectum with complete embryonic space containing lymph nodes which are site of primary dissemination of the disease. Main advantages and drawbacks of TME as well as focus on newer procedures developed from the concept of TME are presented in the form of a review.

Theatre of paediatric surgery.

In the 50 years since the first edition of this journal, operative paediatric surgery has undergone radical change. Many of the most common instruments are unchanged, both as a testament to their utility and in recognition of past surgeons remembered eponymously. Surrounding that basic core of instruments, theatre has changed radically as new tools and techniques have arisen. Surgeons have come down from their pedestals, recognising surgery as a team sport rather than a solo performance. More than half of the current paediatric surgical trainees are women, a higher proportion than in any other craft group of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. The appearance, and rapid development, of laparoscopy is to many observers the most notable change in surgery over the last 50 years. Placed in its context though, it is simply the most prominent example of a frameshift in surgical thinking. The patient as a whole is now the focus, rather than just the disease. Recent developments are as much about minimising harm to normal tissues as they are about extirpating pathology. As a surgical maxim, 'Primum non nocere' is even more in evidence in 2015 than it was in 1965.

The first human laparoscopy and NOTES operation: Dimitrij Oscarovic Ott (1855-1929).

Dimitrij Oscarovic Ott (1855-1929) can undoubtedly be called the true pioneer of laparoscopy, especially of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery. In 1901 already he performed abdominal examinations via a transvaginal access calling this procedure 'ventroscopy'. In 1902 the publication of his first results, as well as a description of the method and the equipment used, were released. In addition to Georg Kelling (1866-1945) and Hans Christian Jacobaeus (1879-1937), he therefore was one of the pioneers of present-day laparoscopy. Whereas Kelling published and presented his first results of merely animal trials in 1901 and Jacobaeus performed his first interventions on humans only in 1910, Ott had already used his new method in clinical practice since 1901. By only one incision in the cul-de-sac and utilizing a head lamp system similar to reflector lamps used by otolaryngologists, he inspected the abdominal cavity making use of a gynecological speculum. The patient was positioned in an extreme head-down position; for better lighting he used an additional light source which was connected to the speculum. Nowadays in Russia Prof. Ott still is a legend, especially in St. Petersburg. He was the director of the National Institute of Obstetrics and the personal physician to Empress Aleksandra Fedorovna (1872-1918). He is regarded as the father of the Russian school of obstetrics and gynecology as well as the founder of endoscopic surgery and laparoscopy in Russia.

[The path leading to robotic surgery]. / A robotsebészethez vezeto út.

Robotic surgery, as a type of minimally invasive surgery, is applied in the medical care, and offers numerous benefits for patients. In this article, the development and changes in robotics, and the aim of robot manufacturing will be reviewed. Furthermore, by summarizing the history of the surgical field, we are going to describe the main paradigm shifts, which show the human acceptance and usage of novel ideas in Europe and in the USA. As a summary, the complex structure, place in surgery and the advantages of the surgical robots and some state-of-the-art research projects will be described, to let us forecast the surgical field of the future.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy: history, techniques and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is a less invasive means of performing the radical cystectomy operation, which holds promise for improved patient morbidity. We review the history, technique and current literature pertaining to RARC and place the current results in context with the open procedure. METHODS: All articles regarding RARC found in PubMed after January 2000 were examined. We selected articles that appeared in high-impact journals, had large patient population size (>80 patients), or were novel in technique or findings. We chose key laparoscopic articles to give reference to the history in transition to robotic radical cystectomy. In addition, we chose classic articles from open radical cystectomy to give reference regarding the newer robotic perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: Studies suggest that a 20-patient learning curve is needed to reach an operative time of 6.5 h, with 30 surgeries performed to reach lymph node counts in excess of 20 (International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium). The only randomized surgical trial comparing open and robotic techniques showed equivalent lymph node yield, which may be surgeon and volume dependent. Literature demonstrates lower estimated blood loss, transfusion rates, early return of bowel function and decreased complications in early small series. CONCLUSION: RARC and urinary diversion are still early in development and limited to centers with extensive robotic experience and volume, although adoption of the robotic approach is becoming more common. Early studies have shown promise to reduce complications with equivalent oncologic results.

History of power sources in endoscopic surgery.

The history of energy sources used in surgery is inextricably linked to the history of electricity. Milestones include identification of safe electrical waveforms that can be used in the human body, patient isolation to prevent alternate-site burns, bipolar energy sources to negate capacitance injuries, laser energy, and the combination vessel sealing devices commonly used today. Engineering efforts to eliminate many of the hazards of electrosurgery are critical to how we practice modern gynecologic surgery. The introduction of bipolar instruments, increasing the safety of monopolar electrosurgery by not using hybrid trocars, and introduction of active shielding of the instruments from stray radiofrequency energy using intelligent secondary conductors have led to the re-emergence of electrosurgery as the universal surgical energy source. The low ongoing costs and the presence of electrosurgical generators in all hospitals readily enables electrosurgery to be the mainstay. Expensive lasers are confined to specialized centers, where they continue to be used, but for a long while filled a gap created by complications of electrosurgery. Sophisticated power sources continue to be introduced and include the ultrasonic scalpel, plasma surgery, and various devices for sealing vessels, all of which have advantages and disadvantages that are recognized as they begin to be subjected to scientific validation in randomized trials.

From open to robotic partial nephrectomy.

The present study does not establish comparisons of the different techniques (open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery); rather, it analyzes the how, when and why of each of them from a historical perspective. This historical analysis begins in the late XIX century and extends up to the present time. The study examines the principles, the uncertainties regarding the feasibility of the techniques, the failures, the complications, the doubts about whether the right thing is being done, and the success of a surgical treatment which is presently beyond question. The historical account is summarized, since it covers a period of over one hundred years. It is the history written by innovating and inspired men and women who changed the course of the treatment of renal neoplastic disease.

Cooling mechanisms in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: are really necessary?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the possibilities and drawbacks of the various possibilities of renal parenchymal cooling during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and also give an outlook into future developments. METHODS: In January 2012 a PubMed Search using the search terms "partial nephrectomy, cooling," followed by a systematic and critical review was performed. CONCLUSION: Renal cooling during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is a feasible, safe and effective procedure to expand ischemia time up to over 60 minutes, without risking significant and long lasting deterioration of renal function. It can be of value in patients with an imperative indication for partial nephrectomy, like solitary kidneys, synchronous bilateral tumors or renal failure in the opposite kidney as well as for patients at risk for deterioration of renal function and in any situation, where you think to yourself that 20 minutes will be maybe not enough to finish the job technically. Renal arterial perfusion provides the clinically best-studied option in this situation followed by ice-cold saline irrigation. Other surface coolants look promising, but still lack clinical data.

Abdominoperineal excision: evolution of a centenary operation.

During the last century, great improvements have been made in rectal cancer management regarding preoperative staging, pathologic assessment, surgical technique, and multimodal therapies. Surgically, there was a move from a strategy characterized by simple perineal excision to complex procedures performed by means of a laparoscopic approach, and more recently with the aid of robotic systems. Perhaps the most important advance is that rectal cancer is no longer a fatal disease as it was at the beginning of the 20th century. This achievement is definitely due in part to Ernest Mile's contribution regarding lymphatic spread of tumor cells, which helped clarify the natural history of the disease and the proper treatment alternatives. He advocated a combined approach with the rationale to clear "the zone of upward spread." The aim of the present paper is to present a brief review concerning the evolution of rectal cancer surgery, focusing attention on Miles' abdominoperineal excision of the rectum (APR) and its controversies and refinements over time. Although APR has currently been restricted to a small proportion of patients with low rectal cancer, recent propositions to excise the rectum performing a wider perineal and a proper pelvic floor resection have renewed interest on this procedure, confirming that Ernest Miles' original ideas still influence rectal cancer management after more than 100 years.

Endoscopy and laparoscopy: a historical aspect of medical terminology.

INTRODUCTION: The history of medical terminology is interrelated with the scientific advances in the field. Efforts to explore human cavities for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes began as early as the 5th century BC. The evolution of laparoscopy at the beginning of the past century has been a major step toward minimization of surgical trauma. The present article investigates the terminological origin and the evolution of the terms endoscopy and laparoscopy. METHODS: A search of ancient bibliographical archives and a review of the modern medical literature was undertaken. RESULTS: The word endoscopy derives from the Greek word endoscópesis, a compound word consisting of éndon, which means inside and scopeín, which means to watch carefully. Laparoscopy also is a compound word, consisting of the words lapára, which means abdomen or abdominal wall, and scopeín. The word lapára derives from the adjective laparós, which means soft. The word lapára may be traced back to the Linear B syllabic script (17th to 13th century BC), as well as in descriptions of fights by the epic poet Homer (8th century BC). Although endoscopic examinations had been performed since the 5th century BC, the term endoscopy is first encountered in medical manuscripts of the 19th century AC, after the evolution of novel instruments and following the advent of artificial light. Similarly, the word laparothoracoscopy was first used in the early 20th century. CONCLUSIONS: The origins of the words laparoscopy and endoscopy are traced back to the archaic period and later to the classical years of ancient Greece. The everlasting semantic of these origins is revisited in the 21st century, as minimization of surgical trauma with the aid of modern technology substantiates the diachronic objective "to do no harm."

The history of laparoscopic general surgery in the Caribbean.

OBJECTIVE: The first world witnessed a laparoscopic revolution in the 1990s. At the start, laparoscopic surgery was heavily criticized and ridiculed. Despite this, the specialty has blossomed where almost any procedure can be done laparoscopically with the now obvious tremendous benefit to the patients. The objective of this paper is to examine where the Caribbean is placed relative to the rest of the world in terms of laparoscopic surgery and to understand why we are here. DESIGN AND METHODS: The literature written on laparoscopy in the region was reviewed and contributions were taken from key surgeons in three main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica. RESULTS: Though the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the Caribbean, in most islands, took place in the early 1990s like the rest of the world, there was relative dormancy for at least a decade in Trinidad and Tobago and even longer in other islands with regards to implementing advanced procedures or increasing case volumes. Reasons for this included lack of funding, lack of operating time in public facilities, lack of information of the public and the medical fraternity but most importantly lack of trained laparoscopic surgeons. This last factor was proven to be the key one in Trinidad and Tobago in 2003, Jamaica 2005 and Barbados 2011/12, when the return of trained personel engineered the transition from basic to advanced laparoscopy CONCLUSION: Despite the delay of approximately 10 years in Trinidad and Tobago and 15 years in other islands, the return of trained surgeons has seen a rapid increase in case variety and volumes in laparoscopy. The wheels of motion of the laparoscopic revolution in the Caribbean have finally begun.

NOTES, hybrid NOTES, NOTES-assisted kidney surgery: what has been achieved so far?

With improved technologies and the development of new techniques, has emerged the concept of "scarless surgery" in an attempt to treat certain diseases obviating the need for incisions to access the peritoneal cavity, resulting in direct benefit to patients and assuming an improvement in quality of life and offering an advantage over conventional laparoscopy. Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) are evolutions of laparoscopy, and they are complementary techniques that should be included in this new concept. NOTES is an emerging surgical modality that uses endoscopic instruments through hollow viscera to enter the peritoneal cavity and allow surgical procedures without incisions. The NOTES procedure may provide additional benefits when compared with current minimally invasive procedures. Potential advantages include no skin incisions, improved cosmetic result, reduced postoperative pain, diminished risk of postoperative hernias, and earlier recovery. NOTES surgery has still some inconvenient regarding instrumentals, viewing orientation, control of complications. Attempts to overcome the current limitations of the technique have given rise to the concept of hybrid NOTES, which is performed with the assistance of transabdominal ports for the use of conventional laparoscopy equipment. NOTES is a very promising technique although further investigation is necessary until implementing NOTES surgery in the common clinical practice.

[Laparoscopic hysterectomy--brief history, frequency, indications and contraindications].

Hysterectomy is the most common gynecological operation after Caesarean section and the laparoscopic access to uterus removal is one of the contemporary methods showing slow but steady growth in time. In reference to indications and contraindications for laparoscopic hysterectomy, the following directions emerge as controversial: malignant gynecological tumors, uterus size, and high body mass index. Laparoscopic hysterectomy can be taken into consideration at the first stage of endometrial, cervical and ovarian cancer. If there is doubt about an uterus sarcoma and a laparoscopic access is accomplished, a conversion to abdominal hysterectomy must be done. Obesity and big uteri are not a contrarindication for that minimally-invasive access. Today, laparoscopic hysterectomy is a reasonable alternative to total abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy.

A history and evolution of laparoscopic nephrectomy: perspectives from the past and future directions in the surgical management of renal tumors.

June 25, 2010 marks the twentieth anniversary of the first clinical laparoscopic nephrectomy. Since the advent of this procedure a paradigm shift toward minimally invasive options for urological surgery has been witnessed, resulting in rapid technological innovations and improved patient outcomes. A history of the minimally invasive surgical management of renal masses is presented with a focus on laparoscopic nephrectomy.