A Brief History of Minimally Invasive Plastic Surgery

Abstract

It could be argued that a basic principle establishing plastic surgery as a distinct specialty always has been minimal invasive surgery. Although perhaps lagging behind the other surgical specialties specifically in adopting the surgical endoscope, this merely is a new tool to better achieve just that objective. Outcome enhancements initially predominated in aesthetic applications, but widespread use also in reconstructive endeavors has proved that there is indeed today a broad role for minimally invasive plastic surgery.

Subcutaneous Endoscopy in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

“…The miniature chip camera in 1982, which was connected to a television screen, introduced surgeons to stereoscopic surgery. 1 It was Phillipe Mouret in 1987 who performed the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy and ushered the large-scale application of surgical endoscopy. 1 Although Chow led the way in reconstructive surgery with the two-portal method for carpal tunnel release in 1984, 2 the use of minimally invasive surgery was adopted largely in cosmetic surgery.…”

“…1 It was Phillipe Mouret in 1987 who performed the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy and ushered the large-scale application of surgical endoscopy. 1 Although Chow led the way in reconstructive surgery with the two-portal method for carpal tunnel release in 1984, 2 the use of minimally invasive surgery was adopted largely in cosmetic surgery. By 1990, the University of Alabama at Birmingham reported their clinical experience in endoscopy, including endoscopic browlift.…”

“…Hippocrates, in 400 BC, examined hemorrhoids with a speculum. 1 In modern times, cold light with fiberoptic technology in the 1950s paved the way for endoscopy. The miniature chip camera in 1982, which was connected to a television screen, introduced surgeons to stereoscopic surgery.…”

“…Operating time and observations on technical ease/difficulty during the procedures were noted. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain within 24 hours following surgery were noted (levels of none [0]/mild [1][2][3][4]/moderate [5][6][7][8] and severe [9][10]). VAS scores for satisfaction following surgery were noted at last review (none [0]/low [1][2][3][4]/ moderate [5][6][7][8] and high [9][10]) The patients had been followed-up for a period ranging from 1 month to 12 years.…”

“…Tissue expander for Microtia(1) 05Tissue expander for depressed scar of left thigh (1)Chin implant for microgenia(2) Breast implant for hypoplasia of right breast (1)Miscellaneous Insertion of dermis-fat graft for Romberg disease (1) 12Insertion of dermis-fat graft for right preauricular-cheek depressed area (1)Endoscopy aided temporalis muscle transfer (1)Endoscopic intraoral release of post traumatic entrapment neuropathy right infraorbital nerve(1)Endoscopy aided rib harvest and rectus muscle plication for congenital sternal dehiscence(1)Transaxillary release of congenital torticollis (4)Intraoral endoscopic bilateral masseter reduction(3) …”