Hans-Christian Jacobaeus (1879–1937)

Abstract

Already 94 years ago in 1910, Dr. Hans Christian Jacobaeus performed the first clinical laparoscopic surgery in Stockholm. His pioneering procedure was based on the animal experiments of Georg Kelling (1866-1945), a German physician from Dresden, who performed the first laparoscopic intervention in 1901 using a Nitze cystoscope in a dog. In 1910 Jacobaeus published his first experiences with laparoscopic surgery in the Münchner Medizinische Wochenschrift under the title "The possibility to perform cystoscopy in examinations of serous cavities." He used this technique for diagnostic purposes in unclear abdominal complaints and functional impairment. Jacobaeus was the first who pointed out the possibility of causing injury to organs, especially the gut, by inserting the trocar. In 1910 Jacobaeus recognized the immense diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities of laparoscopic surgery, but also the difficulties and limits. He also was the first who recognized the need to complete training sessions on animals and corpses. He demanded the development of special laparoscopic instruments to optimize and simplify the operation.

The Development of Laparoscopy—A Historical Overview

“…Nine years later, the Swedish internist Hans-Christian Jacobaeus (1879–1937) introduced the term “laparothoracoscopy” during the first endoscopic inspection of the human chest and abdominal cavity ( 18 , 19 ). Jacobaeus published his experience of the first 17 laparoscopies in 1910 in the “Münchner Medizinischen Wochenschrift” (Munich Medical Weekly).…”

“…Jacobaeus published his experience of the first 17 laparoscopies in 1910 in the “Münchner Medizinischen Wochenschrift” (Munich Medical Weekly). The report was entitled “About the options of using cystoscopy for the investigation of serous cavities” ( 19 ). Jacobaeus recommended the technique for the endoscopic inspection of other body cavities as well.…”

“…Jacobaeus started to release adhesions by viewing the body with the aid of thoracoscopy. He performed thoracoscopic investigations as early as 1913 and is therefore regarded as the founder of thoracoscopic operations ( 18 , 19 ).…”

“…In order to introduce oxygen safely into the abdomen, he developed a double-walled cannula in accordance with the “principle of solid displacement.” The term “pneumoperitoneum” was also coined by him ( 22 ). In 1924 the Swiss gynecologist Richard Zollikofer replaced air with CO2 for the purpose of insufflation ( 19 ).…”

The First Human Laparoscopy and NOTES Operation: Dimitrij Oscarovic Ott (1855-1929)

“…He was also the first to explicitly point out the diagnostic opportunities, yet he also pointed to the limitations of the new technology. He demanded a special training program on human corpses and the development of laparoscopic instruments for the optimization of this surgical procedure [6,7,8,9]. One year later, the American Moses Bernheim carried out the first diagnostic laparoscopy at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, inserting a proctoscope into the abdomen.…”