The development of laparoscopic surgery

A G Gordon, Alan G. Gordon, Gordon AG, Adam Magos, A L Magos, Magos AL
Bailliere's clinical obstetrics and gynaecology · 1989 · vol. 3(3) , pp. 429–449 · doi:10.1016/s0950-3552(89)80003-3 · PMID:2533004 · W2012011894
Review OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 6 in-corpus citations
View on OpenAlex View on PubMed View at publisher
⚙ AI-generated summary by gemini-2.5-flash-lite, 2026-07-18 ⓘ

This paper reviews the historical development of laparoscopic surgery, highlighting key technological advancements and expanded gynecological applications beyond diagnosis and sterilization.

One-sentence paraphrase of the abstract; not a substitute for reading it. No clinical advice. How this works

Abstract

For centuries people have been trying to look inside the abdomen but it is only relatively recently that the technology has been available to make this a meaningful possibility. Major milestones have included safe peritoneal insufflation, cold-light illumination, laparoscopes with the rod lens system, instruments for the safe manipulation of pelvic organs, techniques to ensure haemostasis, laser, video monitoring and most recently double-optic laparoscopy. As a result, the indications for gynaecological laparoscopy have been greatly extended from its initial use as a diagnostic aid or a means of female sterilization, and procedures such as adhesiolysis, ovarian cystectomy, tubal surgery for infertility or ectopic pregnancy, excision of endometriosis and even myomectomy are now possible without open surgery. Well-defined safety guidelines must of course be adhered to and proper training is essential in the various techniques, but the medical, financial and social advantages are such that we owe it to our patients to exploit the full potential of this new mode of management.

My notes (saved in your browser only)

MeSH descriptors

Genital Diseases, Female Laparoscopy Female Female Genital Diseases, Female Genital Diseases, Female Genital Diseases, Female History, 19th Century History, 19th Century History, 20th Century History, 20th Century History, Ancient History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Medieval Humans Humans Laparoscopes Laparoscopes Laparoscopy

Citation neighborhood (2-hop)

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. Outer rings show 2-hop neighbours — papers reached through the immediate citers/citees. [ collapse to 1-hop ]

References (69)

Cited by (5)

Source provenance

europepmc
last seen: 2026-10-14T06:08:39.101224+00:00
openalex
last seen: 2026-06-04T00:00:01.174412+00:00
pubmed
last seen: 2026-10-08T21:14:34.357477+00:00
unpaywall
last seen: 2026-10-14T06:23:58.021457+00:00
License: CC0 · commercial use OK