The history of endoscopy and endoscopic surgery in Japan

In Japan, the first gastro camera was introduced as a trial in 1950, and has improved continuously. On the other hand, in Europe, it was earlier that the first laparoscopic examination was tried in 1901 by Kelling. After that, laparoscopic surgery was developed by originating in a gynecologic surgery. The historical moment came in 1987, Prof. Mouret has succeeded in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and for 20 years, endoscopic has been developing rapidly with progress of related devices. This remarkable advance is based on the collaboration between basic medicine and clinical medicine, in other words, the concept of engineering based medicine.