Page 1 - herina surgery and possible lawsuits

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

History

Hernias have been a subject of interest since the dawn of surgical history. The history of

hernia repair is the history of surgery.[21]
The earliest recorded reference for hernia was in ‘Egyptia Papyrus of Ebers’ 1522 BC.
Hippocrates had differentiated between hernia and hydrocele around 400 BC. The former was

reducible and the latter transilluminable.[l] The ancient Indian surgeon Sushruta had wrote
'Sushruta Samhita’ around 400 BC, which includes major abdominal surgeries and surgeries
like repair of hernia, anal fistula, fractures with help of sharp surgical instruments like knives
and needles.[22]

The history of hernia surgery for groin hernia has gone through many stages of development.
These can be divided as - [10]

1. Ancient era (ancient times to the fifteenth century)
2. Era of the start of hemiology (fifteenth to seventeenth centuries)
3. Anatomic era (seventeenth to nineteenth centuries)
4. Era of repair under tension (nineteenth to mid-twentieth century)

5. Era of tensionless repair (mid twentieth century to the present)
There have been a number of erudite reviews on the history of hernia and its treatment. The
final word on surgery for hernia is yet to be heard. Hernia surgery has gone through a major

evolution from the days of the truss and castration to the present day laparoscopic extra
peritoneal surgery.
Five principles of modem hernia repair developed through these periods of development
includes -[10]

• antiseptic/aseptic operation
• high ligation of the sac

• tightening of the internal ring
• reconstruction of the posterior inguinal floor
• tension free repair.

The development of hernia surgery of (1) ancient era, (2) start of hemiology era and (3)
anatomic era were contributed by many legends in the field of surgery.

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