Problems encountered by early endoscopists

Air cystoscopy: the history of an endoscopic technique from the late 19th century

“…Urine entering the bladder during examination often produced disturbing air bubbles, that caused optical confusion and made further inspection impossible. Furthermore, air embolism was considered a possible complication (see below), especially during endoscopic surgery [ 1, 2].…”

“…during air insufflation into a cavity of the body. Both mechanisms are possible in air cystoscopy, although there was no such case report from early aerocystoscopists [ 1, 2].…”

“…To obtain a sufficiently wide view with this type of instrument, the diameter had to be relatively large. Thus, the method of air cystoscopy (or aerocystoscopy) was performed mainly in female patients [ 1, 2].…”

Aerozystoskopie

“…Um trotzdem ein ausreichendes Sichtfeld zu erlangen, muûten diese Geräte einen relativ groûen Durchmesser aufweisen, womit sie praktisch nur bei der Frau einzusetzen waren [17]. Letzteres war mitunter ein schwieriges Unterfangen, da die ersten Endoskope noch nicht über einen Spülkanal verfügten und somit ein Auffüllen oder auch Entleeren der Blase während der Untersuchung nicht möglich war.…”

Suspected venous air embolism during urinary tract endoscopy in a standing horse

“…It can be observed when venous pressure of the surgical field is sub-atmospheric or when a gas is forced into the body cavities under pressure. This complication is frequently described in neurosurgical procedures, caesarean section and orthopaedic surgery (Shaikh and Ummunisa 2009) and rarely reported during cystoscopy (Nicholson 1982). In recent years VAE has not been reported as a result of urinary tract endoscopy in human medicine because the use of fluids for irrigation in modern endoscopy has become standard practice (Nicholson 1982;Schultheiss et al 1999).…”