Laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopic surgery has witnessed significant progress in the last ten years. Technological breakthroughs in the last decade have made such progress possible.

Abulcasis, a physician who lived in Cordoba in the 10th century performed for the first time something similar to current endoscopy: he was able to see the uterine cervix using a tube introduced through the vagina and reflecting the light of a mirror.
A number of surgeons, some of them gynecologists, progressively improved the technique. The main problem that over the centuries precluded the progress of endoscopy in general and laparoscopy in particular was the failure to find an adequate source of light. In the last 50 years lenses and cold light were the first great breakthroughs.

Starting in 1980, with the widespread use of electronics, the invention of computerized mini cameras and high-resolution TV monitors, many of the problems and limitations hitherto existing were solved, which constituted breakthroughs of our days. Laparoscopy consists in performing a small incision in the abdominal wall to insert a sophisticated trocar or tube, whereby an advanced optic lens system is channeled to capture inner abdomen images.

This optic system has an electronic video camera which captures this image and shows it on a TV monitor. Guided by this superbly clear view, surgical instruments such as tweezers and scissors are inserted in the abdomen through two or three small trocars or tubes and perform the required operations.

In 1985, Dr. Mühe, a German surgeon, performed the first gallbladder excision –and surgeons in Europe and the U.S. readily followed suit, with ensuing advances we now have available.
In the last few years, following the trend set by pioneers, surgeons have developed and enhanced laparoscopic surgery. Such progress leads us to affirm that this is the surgical technique of the future.