History of pediatric endoscopy in the Republic of Karelia

The article is dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the pediatric endoscopic service of the Republic of Karelia. In the introductory part of the article, the authors briefly describe the history of the appearance of endoscopy in the world, which dates back to 1881, when J. Mikulicz-Radecki designed and first used a rigid gastroscope in an adult patient, and then developed very slowly for a long time. Isolated attempts to use gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, and laparoscopy are described. For laparoscopy, a frontal reflector, electric lamps, mirrors were used, and later - the first cystoscopes and rectoscopes. In 1890-1930, there were only a few publications per decade devoted to the development of endoscopic technology. In the Republic of Karelia, the formation of the endoscopic service is associated with the formation of the Karelian Center for Pediatric Surgery. Gastroscopies were initially performed with rigid endoscopes and the main reasons for the appointment of such studies were injuries and burns of the esophagus. The first gastroscopy of a teenager was performed in March 1982, an artifact is presented - a photo of the conclusion of this study. The authors tell about the stages of the formation of the service in the Republic of Karelia. In pediatric practice, the most difficult contingent of patients are newborns and premature babies. Endoscopies for newborns have been performed since 1985. Intraluminal endoscopic interventions have been performed since 1989, and diagnostic laparoscopies have been performed since 1990. Since 1991, laparoscopic operations have been performed under visual control - 57 interventions were performed before the appearance of video resistance. We also recall the period of the economically difficult last decade of the twentieth century, when the development of the endoscopic service continued thanks to the supply of equipment from the twin city of Tubingen. With the advent of the video system, the endoscopic service has gradually developed to the modern level, at which the entire main range of endosurgical interventions is performed.