What’s “New”? — Surgical Gloves?

Abstract

In a recent issue of one of our most prestigious journals, a reader voiced a complaint: “It seems that there is a tendency for surgeons to rediscover the wheel. It has been my experience that when a ‘new’ procedure is described, a full review of the literature will reveal that the technique was first introduced by a German or French surgeon in the late 1800’s”1 I agree! In fact, I almost agree with Mme. Bertin (Marie Antoinette’s milliner), who, in 1785, is alleged to have said, “There is nothing new save that which has been forgotten.”