ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Serendipitous findings are findings that were initially unsought but nevertheless contribute to the development of the discipline. This article reviews eight serendipitous findings in oto-rhino-laryngology important to its advancement. METHOD: The following serendipitous findings are discussed: the accidental discovery of the laryngeal mirror and indirect laryngoscopy by Garcia (1854), the invention of direct oesophagoscopy by Kußmaul (circa 1868), Czermák's (1863) development of diaphanoscopy, the unintentional emergence of bronchography from a clinical error made by Weingartner (1914), adenotomy by Meyer (1869), the discovery of the causes of unbalance related to the vestibular nerve by Flourens (1830), Bárány's (1914) finding that the semi-circular canal reflex is involved in equilibrium, and the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux and middle-ear infections by Poelmans and Feenstra (2002). DISCUSSION: Based on these case studies we conclude that serendipity, defined as the art of making an initially unsought find, does not always appear out of nowhere. Often the researcher is already wrestling with a problem for which the serendipitous finding provides a solution. Sometimes the serendipitous finding enables the application of a known solution to a new problem. And sometimes a serendipitous finding is not recognized as such or considered unimportant. Since observations tend to be theory-loaded, having appropriate background knowledge is a conditio sine qua non to elaborate an unanticipated observation.
Subject(s)
Otolaryngology , Humans , Otolaryngology/history , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , Laryngoscopy/historyABSTRACT
XXII Moscow Scientific and Practical Conference "Otorhinolaryngology: Traditions and Modernity", dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Professors Liya Borisovna Daynyak and Boris Mikhailovich Sagalovich. Part 2.
Subject(s)
Anniversaries and Special Events , Otolaryngology , History, 20th Century , Humans , Moscow , Otolaryngology/history , History, 21st CenturyABSTRACT
Abstracts.
Subject(s)
Anniversaries and Special Events , Otolaryngology , Humans , History, 20th Century , Otolaryngology/history , Moscow , History, 21st CenturyABSTRACT
XXI Moscow scientific and practical conference "Otorhinolaryngology: traditions and modernity", dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Professor Nina Petrovna Konstantinova.
Subject(s)
Anniversaries and Special Events , Otolaryngology , Humans , Moscow , Otolaryngology/historyABSTRACT
AIM: To report the activity of the Otorhinolaryngology Research Society (ORS) from its' founding in 1978 until dissolution in 2017. METHOD: Data were obtained, (Minutes of Council Meetings, and Correspondence) from the Societies website (now closed and archived), and relevant documents and e-mails that pervious secretaries and treasurers of ORS and The British Society of Academics in Otolaryngology (BSAO) had available. The secretarial documents of the ORS, the first 20 years, had been reported "lost," and the data retained on website were incomplete. ETHICAL CONSIDERATION: No patient data have been used in this publication. RESULTS: The first constitution of ORS was based on that of the Surgical Research Society and was brief and simple, with two meetings per year, awarding prizes and bursaries for the best presentations. The Society initially limited to 250 members. The constitution of ORS was revised in 1988 and modified again in 2006, which expanded the council and disbanded the need for membership. CONCLUSION: The changing priorities of trainees and commercialisation of the National Health Service had resulted in running any society costly. The amalgamation of the ORL Research Societies as a Specialty Group within ENT UK to organise and run the national research agenda is likely to result in a more cohesive group with financial stability and a secure and stable environment.
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Biomedical Research/history , Otolaryngology/history , Societies, Medical/history , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , United KingdomABSTRACT
The healing potential of fat grafting was empirically noted by the surgeons who were confronted with the dramatic facial disfigurements resulting from World War 1. Fat was transplanted into the wounds either en bloc or in parcels to promote the healing capacity or to correct the uneven, depressed scars from gunshot wounds, enabling the poor soldiers to step back to society and families in a shorter period of time.The idea of transplanting fat into the wound of the facially disfigured started with Hippolyte Morestin (1869-1919), surgeon in chief at Val-de Grace Military Hospital in Paris and was widely adopted by HD Gillies (1882-1960), Erich Lexer (1867-1937), Gustavo Sanvenero Rosselli (1897-1974), and others, achieving amazing results. Successful treatment of facially injured individuals showed the importance of plastic surgical procedures, the social role of the discipline, basis for obtaining the official recognition as surgical specialty.
Subject(s)
Adipose Tissue/transplantation , Otolaryngology/history , Surgery, Plastic/history , Warfare , Wounds and Injuries/surgery , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , HumansABSTRACT
Introduction: Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) and middle ear barotrauma (MEB) are the most common adverse effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatments. Patients practice equalization maneuvers to prevent ETD and MEB prior to hyperbaric exposure. Some patients are still unable to equalize middle ear pressure. This ETD results in undesirable consequences, including barotrauma, treatment with medications or surgical myringotomy with tube placement and interruption of HBO2. When additional medications and myringotomy are employed, they are associated with additional complications. Methods: A device known as the Ear Popper® has been reported to reduce complications from serous otitis media and reduce the need for surgical interventions (myringotomy). Patients unable to equalize middle ear pressure during initial compression in the hyperbaric chamber were allowed to use the device for rescue. All hyperbaric treatments were compressed using a United States Navy TT9, or a 45-fsw hyperbaric treatment schedule. Patients with persistent ETD and the inability to equalize middle ear pressure were given the Ear Popper upon consideration of terminating their treatment. Results: The Ear Popper allowed all patients to successfully equalize middle ear pressure and complete their treatments. Conclusion: This study substantiates the use of this device to assist in allowing pressurization of the middle ear space in patients otherwise unable to achieve equalization of middle ear pressure during HBO2 treatment in a multiplace chamber.
Subject(s)
Barotrauma/prevention & control , Ear Diseases/prevention & control , Eustachian Tube , Hyperbaric Oxygenation/adverse effects , Proof of Concept Study , Salvage Therapy/instrumentation , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Atmospheric Pressure , Deglutition , Equipment Design , Eustachian Tube/physiology , Female , History, 19th Century , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Otolaryngology/history , Salvage Therapy/methodsSubject(s)
Otolaryngology , History, 21st Century , History, 20th Century , Otolaryngology/history , Humans , GermanyABSTRACT
This article is devoted to the history of academic, research, and clinical activities of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Faculty of General Medicine, N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University.
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Otolaryngology , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Otolaryngology/history , Otolaryngology/organization & administration , RussiaABSTRACT
This article was designed to describe the history of the establishment and development of the research divisions based at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Faculty of General Medicine, N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, including laser, vestibulogical, and audiological laboratories. The authors present an overview of the main research activities and achievements of the Department with special reference to the management of Meniere's disease, cochlear-vestibular disorders associated with sensorineural hearing loss, injuries to the organs of hearing, and diseases of the central nervous system. Also discussed are the peculiarities of the laser-assisted medical care and the possibilities for the application of therapeutic and surgical lasers for the purposes of the practical otorhinolaryngological work.
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Audiology/history , Biomedical Research/history , Otolaryngology , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Otolaryngology/history , Otolaryngology/methods , Otolaryngology/organization & administrationABSTRACT
This article was designed to substantiate the main principles of the academic process as practiced at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University under the current conditions of the ongoing modernization of the system of higher medical education. The authors emphasize the necessity of the combination of theoretical and practical training with special reference to the specific features of the curricular and extracurricular activities. The importance of the formation of the properly functioning teaching staff is underscored. To enhance the efficiency of the educational process, the wide application of the computer-assisted technologies is recommended that can be simultaneously used to improve the methods for diagnostics and treatment of various pathological conditions. The activities based at the specialized students' scientific circle may prove very helpful to facilitate the acquisition of the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills by the medical students and thereby to promote the formation of professional otorhinolaryngologists.
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Academic Medical Centers , Otolaryngology/education , Academic Medical Centers/history , Academic Medical Centers/methods , Academic Medical Centers/organization & administration , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Otolaryngology/history , RussiaABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Sir Charles Bell is renowned and revered as an outstanding surgeon, anatomist, clinician and teacher and his many contributions to various medical fields have been amply described. What are less well-known are his contributions to the field of laryngology. METHODS: Selected clinical and physiological publications by Bell were examined that addressed issues related specifically to the airway or pharynx. These included both case reports and case series. RESULTS: Bell was keenly interested in the physiology of voice production, disorders of the airways and deglutition. Despite a busy clinical and teaching practice, he took careful notice of individual cases that highlighted important generalizations regarding care for upper aerodigestive tract disorders that are relevant today. He was also the first to recognize the anatomy and physiology of pharyngoesophageal diverticula that Zenker later made more famous. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to his many contributions to neurology, facial nerve anatomy and physiology, Sir Charles Bell was also a keen Laryngologist before the era of subspecialization. Rediscovery and study of his work should make us more appreciative of past clinician-investigators who cast a wide net to advance knowledge rather than burrow into a narrow tunnel of vision.
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Otolaryngology/history , England , History, 18th Century , History, 19th Century , HumansABSTRACT
Joseph Gensoul was a pioneer of ENT surgery. In 1827, he performed the first total maxillectomy on 17-year-old boy. His work inspired many surgeons, who were previously unwilling to remove maxillary tumours. A paleopathological study performed in the Dupuytren museum allowed us to identify a skull from the early 19th century, with a large maxillar tumour. There were indications that this skull was operated according to Gensoul's technique. The aim of this study is to confirm that this patient had, in fact, received this surgical treatment. This is a historical and descriptive paleopathological study of a skull of the early 19th century of Dupuytren Museum in Paris. The historical research was conducted in collaboration with the French Academy of Medicine and the Museum of Medicine History (Paris). Bones mark cut studies allowed us to confirm that the patient was operated according to the method described by Gensoul in his "Surgical letter" in 1833. Our historical research has allowed us to understand the perspectives of surgeons in the 19th century and the intellectual processes that led to this discovery. At a time when the robotization and industrialization dominate our art, it is interesting to look to our past, our origins, and our history. The study of ancient humans remains and allows us to understand the origin of our specialty and pay tribute to these pioneering surgeons. Their intellectual approach and boldness should be acknowledged and applauded, especially as it is also the key to our success.
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Otolaryngology/history , Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures/history , History, 19th Century , Humans , Maxilla/surgery , Maxillary Neoplasms/surgery , Museums , Paris , SkullSubject(s)
Otolaryngology , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Otolaryngology/historyABSTRACT
Introduction: The history of the first operating microscopes from Zeiss is often confusing, not painstaking and partly contradictory because of the parallel development of Zeiss Jena (East Germany) and Zeiss Oberkochen (West Germany). Methods: To investigate the early beginnings of the construction of the operating microscopes documents of the Carl Zeiss Archive and the Optical Museum in Jena, the memoirs of Prof. Dr. Rosemarie Albrecht and some relevant publications were used. Results: The development of the first Jena operating microscope was initiated in 1949 by the ENT-physician Prof. Dr. Rosemarie Albrecht in the Soviet occupation zone. The first prototype was tested in the University ENT Clinic, Jena since summer of 1950. On the Leipzig Trade Fair in autumn 1952 the VEB Optik Carl Zeiss Jena presented the first operating microscope nationally and internationally. Series production began in 1953. The first operating microscope of Zeiss Oberkochen was primarily developed by technical designers (H. Littmann) as a colposcope. But in the Carl Zeiss Archive no documents could be found related to the cooperation with gynecologists. 1953 the operating microscope (OPMI 1) came into public and its series production started. From this date on, it was adopted by the otologist Prof. Dr. Horst Ludwig Wullstein to the needs of Otorhinolaryngology. Conclusion: The first Zeiss operating microscope came from Jena. The operating microscope from Zeiss Oberkochen had some advantages for the surgeons and won the competition in the future.
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Commerce/history , Microsurgery/history , Otolaryngology/history , Germany, East , History, 20th CenturyABSTRACT
This article highlights the main landmarks in the history of the Clinic of ENT diseases at I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, from the days of its foundation up to the present time. The main scientific and clinical aspects of it activities in different periods under the guidance of the outstanding Russian otorhynolaryngologists are described.
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Hospitals, University/history , Otolaryngology/history , History, 18th Century , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , MoscowABSTRACT
The present article was designed to describe the history of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology based at the Academician E.A. Vagner Perm State Medical University and overview its research, educational, and therapeutic activities.
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Otolaryngology , Schools, Medical/history , History, 20th Century , Humans , Otolaryngology/education , Otolaryngology/history , RussiaABSTRACT
The American Ophthalmological Society (AOS) is 1 of the 3 founding organizations of the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO), in addition to the Section on Ophthalmology of the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. The early history of the AOS and its role in the founding of the ABO are addressed in this article.
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Ophthalmology/history , Societies, Medical/history , Specialty Boards/history , History, 20th Century , Otolaryngology/history , United StatesABSTRACT
Anton Friedrich Baron von Tröltsch (1829-1890) was a very famous German otologist in Würzburg in the second part of the 19th century. The aim of this study is to present some unpublished documents related to his biography: a 4-page autobiographical unsigned text probably written for his habilitation in 1861, a 4-page autobiographical letter sent by von Tröltsch to the editors of the Brockhaus-Conversations-Lexikon in 1872, a unique album of portraits of the main otologists of the second part of the 19th century, collected for his 1886 Privat Docent jubilee anniversary, and a portrait of unknown origin. They are discussed with other unusual portraits. These new documents demonstrate at least two major points. One, von Tröltsch was aware of his qualities and the importance of his work in otology but he was not boastful. Two, he was really loved and respected by its colleagues, nearly 150 of them came just for a one-day ovation in Würzburg for his 25th Privat Docent Jubilee and his retirement from his otological practice. Von Tröltsch was and remains an example for all otologists.
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Otolaryngology/history , Periodicals as Topic/history , Europe , History, 19th Century , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Since the death of the Emperor Friedrich III in June 1888, there are still controversial discussions whether the Crown Prince could have been healed from his laryngeal cancer by a thyrotomy planned by his German physicians for May 21, 1887. METHODS: In order to find an answer to this historical question, the Emperor's biographies, the literature on laryngology published in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, German manuals on laryngology and ENT, the BMJ and Lancet were thoroughly studied where in particular not only Mackenzie but also Virchow had published several articles on the disease of Friedrich III. RESULTS: Prof. Gerhardt had decided not to perform biopsies of the tumor. Furthermore, he did not perform iodine potassium treatment ex juvantibus as it was common practice at that time in order to confirm the diagnosis of carcinoma by excluding syphilitic gumma. So Mackenzie was perfectly right when insisting on performing excisional biopsy before surgery. It is tragedy that Virchow by making the diagnosis of pachydermia laryngis provided the justification for canceling the surgical intervention that had already been decided. It was also mistake that Prof. Gerhardt did not accompany the Crown Prince during his stay in England in summer 1887. The authority of the delegated medical officer Dr. Landgraf did not suffice to persuade Mackenzie to discuss again the matter of performing surgery together with Gerhardt and von Bergmann. The drawings made by Dr. Landgraf show an impressive tumor growth. The refusal of new consultations with Gerhardt and von Bergmann by Mackenzie can only be explained by the fact that Mackenzie was generally against such a surgical intervention. Regarding the question of the chances of such a surgery it can be said that thyrotomy and laryngectomy had been refused by the majority of laryngologists since the Congress of London in 1881 and the publication of P. v. Bruns in 1878. In Berlin, however, the improvement of surgical and anesthetic techniques by E. Hahn led to a positive opinion. F. Semon, who had strictly refused thyrotomy until 1886, supported the indication of thyrotomy of the Crown Prince since Hahn had successfully operated one of his patients in London. So the chance of healing a limited carcinoma of the vocal folds by thyrotomy was given. However, it may be questioned if partial resection had the desired outcome. The limited mobility of the left vocal fold that had been diagnosed already in May 1887 indicates that probably laryngectomy would have been necessary. The prognosis of this procedure, however, was extremely poor at that time. It is irony of history that T. Gluck who performed the separation of the airways from the digestive pathways in an animal model already in 1880 under von Langenbeck could not further develop his technique under von Bergmann. CONCLUSIONS: The Crown Prince acquired his disease at a time when the acceptance of surgical treatment of laryngeal carcinomas had reached its lowest point. Ten years later, the technique of thyrotomy was successfully established by Hahn, Butlin, and Semon so that Morell Mackenzie would probably have agreed to the intervention. Ten years later, due to Gluck and Sörensen, even the technique of laryngectomy had reached the performance that is still valid today so that the Emperor could have been treated successfully even with an advanced laryngeal carcinoma.