| |
Whenever the history of medicine in American
urology is discussed, endoscopy is a very important subject. The
development of endoscopy in America began in the late nineteenth
century with acquisition of European techniques and instruments
from Vienna and Berlin, mostly with instruments developed by Max
Nitze. The growth of urological instrumentation started in the early
twentieth century with realization of the ideas of American urologists
assisted by prominent, skilled makers of endoscopic and electrosurgical
instruments such as Reinhold Wappler, a German immigrant who founded
American Cystoscope Makers, Inc. (ACMI) in 1908. From the work of
these important men and their successors, urology was the first
surgical specialty to see the benefit of using minimally invasive
equipment to diagnose and treat diseases.
The earliest applications of endoscopic surgery were directed toward
diseases of the lower urinary
tract - the bladder, prostate and urethra. By the beginning of the
1900's, urologists were capable of diagnosing and treating small
stones and tumors in the bladder. Endoscopic surgical treatment
of prostate enlargement became a reality by the early 1930's when
the "resectoscope" was invented by Stern and McCarthy, allowing
surgery to be done by passing these instruments through the natural
openings and pathways of the body such as the urethra for prostate
surgery.
In today's practice, endoscopic and laparoscopic approaches are
now standard for treating diseases of the upper
urinary tract - the kidneys, ureters and adrenal glands. Most urinary
stones, regardless of size and location, are now accessible by endoscopic
means. Most tumors of the kidneys and adrenal glands are now being
removed by laparoscopic methods. These minimally invasive surgeries
are part of an effort to refine surgical technique and anesthesia
to reduce the morbidity of surgery. By planning no incision or smaller
incisions, and using endoscopes and laparoscopes for magnification,
we can achieve our surgical goals with less pain and discomfort
for our patients, which can have great impact on the healing process
and recovery, and shorten their return time to work and regular
activities.
At Bay Area Urology, we consider it our responsibility to continue
to bring current and future advances into our urological practice.
The field of urologic surgery is seeing a healthy synergism at work,
as technological advances are expanding the capabilities of surgeons
to streamline open procedures. In the San Mateo County Area (Peninsula
Medical Center, Sequoia Hospital, and San Mateo Medical Center),
we were the first
group of surgeons to perform laparoscopic kidney removal (nephrectomy)
for both benign and malignant diseases. We anticipate future expansion
of our abilities to treat most if not all urological conditions,
including prostate cancer, using minimally invasive means.
For more information on related topics of
endoscopy and laparoscopy, please refer to the specific sections
of our web site.
* This information is not intended to substitute for a consultation with a urologist. It is offered to educate patients on the basis of urological conditions in order to get the most out of their office visits and consultations. Please see our web page disclaimer for addition information. |
|
