From magnifying glass to operative microscopy - the historical and modern role of the microscope in microsurgery.

The modern computer-assisted microscope, being a hallmark of microsurgery, has become a standard piece of equipment in the operating theatre. Its introduction enabled visualisation of fine anatomical structures, obscure to the unaided eye, and revolutionised many surgical specialties, such as neurological, ophthalmological, or vascular. These astounding achievements have been the culmination of a century of constant progress in optical engineering and microsurgery, since 1921, when a microscope was first used during surgery. Long before surgery, pathology adopted microscopes, and they have become its most prominent diagnostic tools. We traced the evolution of this important invention and discussed its present status and future prospects.

The history of microsurgery.

Microsurgery is a term used to describe the surgical techniques that require an operating microscope and the necessary specialized instrumentation, the three "Ms" of Microsurgery (microscope, microinstruments and microsutures). Over the years, the crucial factor that transformed the notion of microsurgery itself was the anastomosis of successively smaller blood vessels and nerves that have allowed transfer of tissue from one part of the body to another and re-attachment of severed parts. Currently, with obtained experience, microsurgical techniques are used by several surgical specialties such as general surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, gynecology, otolaryngology, neurosurgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery and more. This article highlights the most important innovations and milestones in the history of microsurgery through the ages that allowed the inauguration and establishment of microsurgical techniques in the field of surgery.

Godina's Principles in the Twenty-First Century and the Evolution of Lower Extremity Trauma Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: February of 2016 marked 30 years since the passing of Marko Godina, a pioneer and prodigy in the field of reconstructive microsurgery. Most noteworthy among his many contributions was his method of radical debridement of contaminated compound fractures followed by early free tissue transfer for wound closure. In the last three decades, the landscape of reconstructive surgery has undergone significant transformation owing to advances in reconstructive techniques and wound care technology, as well as new data. METHODS: Dr. Godina's work and legacy are reviewed, compared and contrasted with new and evolving data regarding lower extremity trauma reconstruction. RESULTS: Advancements in technique and technology have greatly molded lower extremtiy reconstruction over the past thirty years. Nonetheless, Dr. Godina's principles of timely care and early vascularized soft tissue coverage have withstood the test of time. CONCLUSION: Marko Godina's contribution to reconstructive microsurgery cannot be overstated and his groundbreaking work continues to serve as the foundation of lower extremity trauma reconstruction. Three decades after his seminal work, we honor Dr. Godina's legacy and explore how his principles have endured, evolved, or been replaced.

[The Development of First Operating Microscopes from Zeiss Jena and Oberkochen to Series Production]. / Die Entwicklung der ersten OP-Mikroskope von Zeiss Jena und Oberkochen bis zur Serienfertigung.

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.

A brief history of vascularized free flaps in the oral and maxillofacial region.

Vascularized free flaps are now the reference standard for the reconstruction of defects after cancer resection in oral and maxillofacial surgery and other specialties and have an interesting and surprisingly long history. We reviewed the history of free flap use in oral and maxillofacial surgery and show their place in the wider context of surgical progress. An overview is given of both soft tissue and bony reconstruction in the pre-free flap era and the development of vascular anastomosis and microsurgery--one of the main foundations of free flap surgery. The emergence of free flaps from 1959 through to the early 1970s is documented. The history of 19 of the more common free flaps used in oral and maxillofacial surgery is described, from the jejunal flap in 1959 through to the posterior tibial artery flap in 1985. For each, the origin and first reported use in the head and neck are discussed. Free flap surgery has continued to evolve, with developments in perforator and chimeric flaps, and new flaps continue to be described. An appreciation of the surgical history is important in understanding where we are today. Our review should give the practicing surgeon an idea of the origins of the currently used techniques.

[The history of facial paralysis]. / Histoire de la paralysie faciale.

Facial paralysis has been a recognized condition since Antiquity, and was mentionned by Hippocratus. In the 17th century, in 1687, the Dutch physician Stalpart Van der Wiel rendered a detailed observation. It was, however, Charles Bell who, in 1821, provided the description that specified the role of the facial nerve. Facial nerve surgery began at the end of the 19th century. Three different techniques were used successively: nerve anastomosis, (XI-VII Balance 1895, XII-VII, Korte 1903), myoplasties (Lexer 1908), and suspensions (Stein 1913). Bunnell successfully accomplished the first direct facial nerve repair in the temporal bone, in 1927, and in 1932 Balance and Duel experimented with nerve grafts. Thanks to progress in microsurgical techniques, the first faciofacial anastomosis was realized in 1970 (Smith, Scaramella), and an account of the first microneurovascular muscle transfer published in 1976 by Harii. Treatment of the eyelid paralysis was at the origin of numerous operations beginning in the 1960s; including palpebral spring (Morel Fatio 1962) silicone sling (Arion 1972), upperlid loading with gold plate (Illig 1968), magnets (Muhlbauer 1973) and transfacial nerve grafts (Anderl 1973). By the end of the 20th century, surgeons had at their disposal a wide range of valid techniques for facial nerve surgery, including modernized versions of older techniques.

[The past and present of thumb reconstruction]. / Historie a soucasnost rekonstrukce palce ruky.

The thumb is the most important digit for hand function. Its role is not only functional, but also aesthetic, the hand being a very exposed part of the body. Loss of the thumb can lead to life-long physical and mental stigma. With regard to this experience, early reconstruction of the thumb in order to return patients to normal life as soon as possible is clearly preferred. When using early thumb reconstruction, the patient does not gain wrong stereotypes in hand-grip manoeuvres. The paper presents an overview of current options for non-microsurgical and microsurgical thumb reconstruction techniques.

A history of vascular and microvascular surgery.

The history of microvascular surgery is intimately linked to that of vascular surgery. Microvascular techniques, developed mainly in China, Japan, Australia, and the United States of America, built on the principles of vascular anastomosis established by pioneers in France, Germany, Italy, and the United States of America. We present a history of the technique here.

[A little story of microsurgery]. / Une petite histoire de la microchirurgie.

It is difficult to write about the history of microsurgery because many things have already been said. Exhaustive lists of names, dates and "first clinical" are available but some details may be more relevant to appreciate the human adventure that represents microsurgery. Its finality is a precise, methodical and rigorous technical procedure but its origin is audacity, imagination and force of conviction. What seems a priori a paradox is the singularity of a speciality whose applications have forever changed the face of reconstructive surgery. So, some details are reported and are basis of reflection about this great surgical advance.

Great Hospitals: The History of Neurosurgery at the University of Vermont Medical Center-A Macroscopic Examination of Microscope-Savvy Pioneers.

The University of Vermont's (UVM) Division of Neurosurgery is enshrined in a rich history of innovation and academic prowess, which have significantly contributed to making neurosurgery the field it is today. From humble beginnings, the department was started by one Raymond Madiford Peardon "Pete" Donaghy on a parenthetically watertight research budget amounting to $25 and shared space in a Quonset hut. Passion and commitment to progress, as well as an innate openness to collaboration, propelled Pete Donaghy, his colleagues, pupils, and successors to establish an exemplary center for treatment of neurosurgical disease, with multiple revolutionary accomplishments along the way. These accomplishments include the birth and promotion of microneurosurgery, the performance of the first extracranial to intracranial bypass, and the education of other neurosurgical giants. The New England Skull Base Course, held annually in UVM's "R.M. Peardon Donaghy Microvascular and Skull Base Laboratory," is a 3-day cadaver-based teaching course for neurosurgery and ear nose and throat residents throughout New England. The course bears testament to Donaghy's everlasting influence on the UVM Division of Neurosurgery and continues to positively affect the education of countless trainees. The purpose of this historical perspective is to outline the events and accomplishments that define the UVM Division of Neurosurgery's many contributions to the field at large and the ongoing efforts to honor Donaghy's example through maintaining a culture of humility, hard work, and commitment to neurosurgical innovation and education.

[Operative neurosurgery: Personal view and historical backgrounds. (10) Microneurosurgery and PET scan: clinical experience of a neurosurgeon].

During the author's clinical activity at three institutes : Kyoto University Hospital (Kyoto 1965-1969, 1977-1985), National Cardiovascular Center NCVC (Osaka 1986-1992) and Zurich University Hospital (Zurich 1970-1976, 1993-2007), He has experienced (underlined periods) working with PET scan and SPECT in relation to microsurgical treatment. The following describes how and for what the author has been engaged in this regard. 1. As preparation for the work with PET, SPECT with a rotating gamma camera was used to know blood distribution with the use of Kr-81m infusion from a selectively located catheter in the ICA, ECA or VA, e.g. to know the flow distribution of a newly constructed EC-IC bypass, which was quite separated from and not mixed up with that of already functioning inherent collaterals (Fig. 1). 2. With the use of inhalation PET scan (15O labelled CO2 and O2 inhalation and 15O CO inhalation) basic knowledge of hemodynamics of MMD was acquired (Fig. 2) 3. With the use of H215 O-PET scan with DiamoxR loading, indication for and effectiveness of EC-IC bypass surgery for occlusive cerebrovascular disease (atherosclerosis (anterior circulation (Fig. 5), posterior circulation (Fig. 6, 7)), MMD (Fig. 9), congenital disease (Fig. 8) have been settled or demonstrated. 4. In epileptic seizures, interictally or intraictally, the active locus has been identified by the use of FDG-PET, flumazenil-PET, H 2 15 O or 13 NH 3-PET respectively (Fig. 12). In this relation, selective Wada test with the use of Tc-99 m-ECD selective infusion together with Amytal R through a catheter inserted selectively into the anterior choroidal artery is an important preoperative test for the SAHE (Fig. 13). 5. FDG-PET and/or tyrosine PET supply important clues concerning appropriate surgical treatment strategy, and also for intractable glioblastoma or high grade glioma, so that in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy one may expect more excellent long term outcome with good quality of life (Fig. 16, 17). Furthermore, there must be cases with dementia in which some revascularization procedure might be of help, for which FDG-and H 2 15O-PET could be helpful for differential diagnosis and indication of surgery (Fig. 18).

Operative management of lumbar disc herniation : the evolution of knowledge and surgical techniques in the last century.

Removal of a herniated disc with the use of the operative microscope was first performed by Yasargil (Adv Neurosurg. 4:81-2, 1977) in 1977. However, it began to be used more and more only in the late 1980s (McCulloch JA (1989) Principles of microsurgery for lumbar disc disease. Raven Press, New York). In the 1990s, many spinal surgeons abandoned conventional discectomy with naked-eye to pass to the routine practice of microdiscectomy. The merits of this technique are that it allows every type of disc herniation to be excised through a short approach to skin, fascia and muscles as well as a limited laminoarthrectomy. For these reasons, it has been, and still is, considered the "gold standard" of surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation, and the method used by the vast majority of spinal surgeons. In the 1990s, the advent of MRI and the progressive increase in definition of this modality of imaging, as well as histopathologic and immunochemical studies of disc tissue and the analysis of the results of conservative treatments have considerably contributed to the knowledge of the natural evolution of a herniated disc. It was shown that disc herniation may decrease in size or disappear in a few weeks or months. Since the second half of the 1990s there has been a revival of percutaneous procedures. Some of these are similar to the percutaneous automated nucleotomy; other methods are represented by intradiscal injection of a mixture of "oxygen-ozone" (Alexandre A, Buric J, Paradiso R. et al. (2001) Intradiscal injection of oxygen ozone for the treatment of lumbar disc herniations: result at 5 years. 12th World Congress of Neurosurgery; 284-7), or laserdiscectomy performed under CT scan (Menchetti PPM. (2006) Laser Med Sci. 4:25-7). The really emerging procedure is that using an endoscope inserted into the disc through the intervertebral foramen to visualize the herniation and remove it manually using thin pituitary rongeurs, a radiofrequency probe or both (Chiu JC. (2004) Surg Technol Int. 13:276-86).Microdiscectomy is still the standard method of treatment due to its simplicity, low rate of complications and high percentage of satisfactory results, which exceed 90% in the largest series. Endoscopic transforaminal discectomy appears to be a reliable method, able to give similar results to microdiscectomy, provided the surgeon is expert enough in the technique, which implies a long learning curve in order to perform the operation effectively, with no complications. All the non-endoscopic percutaneous procedures now available can be used, but the patient must be clearly informed that while the procedure is simple and rapid, at least for the disc L4-L5 and those above (except for laserdiscectomy under CT, that can be easily performed also at L5-S1), their success rate ranges from 60 to 70% and that, in many cases, pain may decrease slowly and may take even several weeks to disappear.