Fiberoptic endoscopy: the singular transformative event of our time.

Abstract

Thousands of manuscripts are published each week, and there continues to be a vast wave of new journals becoming available almost daily for the dissemination of new knowledge. Yet, almost all advances in medicine are incremental. By contrast, revolutionary advances, which change the natural history of disease or alter clinical practice, are quite rare. One such event was the development and widespread adoption of fiberoptic endoscopy, which forever altered the science, and practice of gastroenterology. In this issue of the Journal, Dr. Kaunitz [1] chronicles the timeline of the development of the endoscope from the rigid instruments to the early flexible fiberoptic endoscope, highlighting the major milestones and contributions from legends such as Rudolph Schindler and Basil Hirschowitz and the skills and ingenuity that they possessed. Building upon this historical background, I will review fiberoptic endoscopy in the context of its impact on current clinical practice and societal health. Several common themes throughout this journey are that we had to wait for technology to catch up with our interventional dreams, and the profound effect endoscopy has had not only on our practice but also on other specialties, especially surgery. I will make the case that fiberoptic endoscopy was the singular transformative event of the last century for our specialty. From Inspection to Palpation