Effect of hemostasis and electrosurgery on the development and evolution of brain tumor surgery in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

Neurosurg Focus. 2005 Apr 15;18(4):e3. doi: 10.3171/foc.2005.18.4.4.

Abstract

Hemostatic options available to the surgeon in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were limited. The surgical ligature was limited in value to the neurological surgeon because of the unique structural composition of brain tissue as well as the approaches and operating angles used in this type of surgery. In this manuscript the authors review the options available and the evolution of surgical hemostatic techniques and electrosurgery in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the impact of these methods on the surgical management of tumors of the brain and its coverings.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / blood supply
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Brain / surgery
  • Brain Neoplasms / history*
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Cerebral Arteries / injuries
  • Cerebral Arteries / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Arteries / surgery
  • Electrocoagulation / history
  • Electrocoagulation / instrumentation
  • Electrocoagulation / methods
  • Electrosurgery / history*
  • Electrosurgery / instrumentation
  • Electrosurgery / methods
  • Hemostatic Techniques / history*
  • Hemostatic Techniques / instrumentation
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / history*
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / physiopathology
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / prevention & control*
  • Intraoperative Complications / etiology
  • Intraoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Intraoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / history*
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / instrumentation
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods
  • Postoperative Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Postoperative Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Hemorrhage / prevention & control