Throughout history, many innovations have contributed to the development of modern urological surgery, improving patient outcomes and expanding the range of treatment options available to patients. This article explores five key historical innovations that have shaped modern urological surgery: External shockwave lithotripsy, transurethral resection of prostate, cystoscope, perioperative prostate-specific antigen and robotic surgery. The selection of innovations for inclusion in this article was meticulously determined through expert consensus and an extensive literature review. We will review the development, impact and significance of each innovation, highlighting their contributions to the field of urological surgery and their ongoing relevance in contemporary and perioperative practice.
AblinRJBronsonPSoanesWAWitebskyE1970Tissue- and species-specific antigens of normal human prostatic tissueJournal of Immunology104 (6) 1329–1339
2.
AbouelkheirRTAbdelhamidAAbou El-GharMEl-DiastyT2021Imaging of bladder cancer: Standard applications and future trendsMedicina57 (3) 220
3.
AdamALawrentschukNBhattuASNagdeeJ2021Efficacy of the novel, innovative, single-use grasper integrated flexible cystoscope for ureteral stent removal: A systematic reviewANZ Journal of Surgery91 (12) 2599–2605
4.
AgrawalMSMishraDK2022Transurethral resection of prostateJournal of Endourology36 (S2) S29–S34
5.
Akbari JonousZShayehJSYazdianFYadegariAHashemiMOmidiM2019An electrochemical biosensor for prostate cancer biomarker detection using graphene oxide–gold nanostructuresEngineering in Life Sciences19 (3) 206–216
6.
AkcaOZargarHKaoukJH2015Robotic surgery revives radical perineal prostatectomyEuropean Urology68 (2) 340–341
7.
AlexanderCEScullionMMOmarMI, et al2019Bipolar versus monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic obstructionCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews12 (12) CD009629
8.
AssimosDKrambeckAMillerNL, et al2016Surgical management of stones: American Urological Association/Endourological Society Guideline, PART IIThe Journal of Urology196 (4) 1161–1169
9.
BachTMuschterRHerrmannTR, et al2015Technical solutions to improve the management of non-muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma: Summary of a European Association of Urology Section for Uro-Technology (ESUT) and Section for Uro-Oncology (ESOU) expert meeting and current and future perspectivesBJU International115 (1) 14–23
10.
BalkSPKoY-JBubleyGJ2003Biology of prostate-specific antigenJournal of Clinical Oncology21 (2) 383–391
11.
BerrySJCoffeyDSWalshPCEwingLL1984The development of human benign prostatic hyperplasia with ageThe Journal of Urology132 (3) 474–479
BraviCALarcherACapitanioU, et al2021Perioperative outcomes of open, laparoscopic, and robotic partial nephrectomy: A prospective multicenter observational study (The RECORd 2 Project)European Urology Focus7 (2) 390–396
14.
ChanKMGleadleJLiJVasilevKMacGregorM2020Shedding light on bladder cancer diagnosis in urineDiagnostics10 (6) 383
15.
ChandranSSNanARosenDMGhandehariHDenmeadeSR2007A prostate-specific antigen activated N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide copolymer prodrug as dual-targeted therapy for prostate cancerMolecular Cancer Therapeutics6 (11) 2928–2937
16.
ChaussyCBrendelWSchmiedtE1980Extracorporeally induced destruction of kidney stones by shock wavesThe Lancet21265–1268
17.
ChuTM1997Prostate-specific antigen and early detection of prostate cancerTumor Biology18 (2) 123–134
18.
CockettWSCockettAT1998The Hopkins rod-lens system and the Storz cold light illumination systemUrology51 (5) 1–2
19.
CulpMBSoerjomataramIEfstathiouJABrayFJemalA2020Recent global patterns in prostate cancer incidence and mortality ratesEuropean Urology77 (1) 38–52
20.
DamborskaDBertokTDosekovaE, et al2017Nanomaterial-based biosensors for detection of prostate specific antigenMikrochimica Acta184 (9) 3049–3067
21.
DaneshmandSBazarganiSTBivalacquaTJ, et al2018Blue light cystoscopy for the diagnosis of bladder cancer: Results from the US prospective multicenter registryUrologic Oncology36 (8) 361.e1–361.e6
22.
DescotesJ-L2019Diagnosis of prostate cancerAsian Journal of Urology6 (2) 129–136
23.
DiamandisEP1998Prostate-specific antigen: Its usefulness in clinical medicineTrends in Endocrinology and Metabolism9 (8) 310–316
24.
EnikeevDMisraiVRijoE, et al2022EAU, AUA and NICE guidelines on surgical and minimally invasive treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: A critical appraisal of the guidelines using the AGREE-II toolUrologia Internationalis106 (1) 1–10
25.
FlocksRHUrichVCPatelCAOpitzJM (1960) Studies on the antigenic properties of prostatic tissue I. The Journal of Urology84134–143
26.
GidlowABLaniadoMEEllisBW2000The nurse cystoscopist: A feasible option?BJU International85 (6) 651–654
27.
GowJG1998Harold Hopkins and optical systems for urology – An appreciationUrology52 (1) 152–157
28.
HerrHW2006Max Nitze, the cystoscope and urologyThe Journal of Urology176 (4) 1313–1316
29.
HougenHYLoboJMCoreyTJonesRRheubanKSchenkmanNSKrupskiTL2016Optimizing and validating the technical infrastructure of a novel tele-cystoscopy systemJournal of Telemedicine and Telecare22 (7) 397–404
30.
HunterJ1835The Works of John Hunter, F.R.S.: With Notes (ed PalmerJ, Cambridge Library Collection – History of Medicine) Cambridge, Cambridge University Press
31.
JochamDSteppHWaidelichR2008Photodynamic diagnosis in urology: State-of-the-artEuropean Urology53 (6) 1138–1150
32.
KellyHABurnamCF1914Diseases of the Kidneys, Ureters and Bladder: With Special Reference to the Diseases in Women (vol 1) New York, D Appleton
33.
LiljaHUlmertDVickersAJ2008Prostate-specific antigen and prostate cancer: Prediction, detection and monitoringNature Reviews Cancer8 (4) 268–278
34.
LoebSCatalonaWJ2007Prostate-specific antigen in clinical practiceCancer Letters249 (1) 30–39
35.
LoidlWSchmidbauerJSusaniMMarbergerM2005Flexible cystoscopy assisted by hexaminolevulinate induced fluorescence: A new approach for bladder cancer detection and surveillance?European Urology47 (3) 323–326
36.
LütfrenkTNeisiusARauschSSalemJKuruTH2023Prospective analysis of versatility and user satisfaction with a novel single-use cystoscope with working channelUrologia Internationalis107 (6) 570–577
MarshallVF1964Fiber optics in urologyThe Journal of Urology91 (1) 110–114
39.
MartinRMDonovanJLTurnerEL, et al2018Effect of a low-intensity PSA-based screening intervention on prostate cancer mortality: The CAP randomized clinical trialJAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association319 (9) 883–895
40.
MaxwellDWangYKreiderW, et al2019Evaluation of renal stone comminution and injury by burst wave lithotripsy in a pig modelJournal of Endourology33 (10) 787–792
41.
MebustWK1990Transurethral prostatectomyUrologic Clinics of North America17 (3) 575–585
42.
MishrikiSFGrimsleySJNabiGMartindaleACohenNP2008Improved quality of life and enhanced satisfaction after TURP: Prospective 12-year follow-up studyUrology72 (2) 322–326; discussion 326–328
43.
NgCFMcLornanLThompsonTJTolleyDA2004Comparison of 2 generations of piezoelectric lithotriptors using matched pair analysisThe Journal of Urology172 (5 pt 1) 1887–1891
44.
O’DonnellAMFooIT2009Anaesthesia for transurethral resection of the prostateContinuing Education in Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain9 (3) 92–96
45.
OelkeMBachmannADescazeaudA, et al2011Guidelines on the Treatment of Non-Neurogenic Male LUTSArnhem, European Association of Urology (EAU)
46.
OuzaidIAl-QahtaniSDominiqueS, et al2012A 970 Hounsfield units (HU) threshold of kidney stone density on non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) improves patients’ selection for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL): Evidence from a prospective studyBJU International110 E438–E442
47.
PatelSRMoranMENakadaSY (eds) 2018The History of Technologic Advancements in UrologyBerlin; Heidelberg, Springer
48.
PereiraSGTHudoklinSKreftMEKostevsekNStuartMCAAl-JamalWT2019Intracellular activation of a prostate specific antigen-cleavable doxorubicin prodrug: A key feature toward prodrug-nanomedicine designMolecular Pharmaceutics16 (4) 1573–1585
49.
PishchalnikovYAMcAteerJAVonderhaarRJPishchalnikovaIVWilliamsJCEvanAP2006Detection of significant variation in acoustic output of an electromagnetic lithotriptorThe Journal of Urology176 (5) 2294–2298
50.
QuayleSSAmesCDLieberDYanYLandmanJ2005Comparison of optical resolution with digital and standard fiberoptic cystoscopes in an in vitro modelUrology66 (3) 489–493
51.
RaskolnikovDBaileyMRHarperJD2022Recent advances in the science of burst wave lithotripsy and ultrasonic propulsionBME Frontiers20221–6
52.
RassweilerJJKnollTKöhrmannKU, et al2011Shock wave technology and application: An updateEuropean Urology59 (5) 784–796
53.
RathertPLutzeyerWGoddwinWE1974Philipp Bozzini (1773–1809) and the LichtleiterUrology3 (1) 113–118
54.
ReynoldsLFKroczakTPaceKT2018Indications and contraindications for shock wave lithotripsy and how to improve outcomesAsian Journal of Urology5 (4) 256–263
55.
RiedingerCBFantusRJMatulewiczRSWerntzRPRodriguezJFSmithND2019The impact of surgical duration on complications after transurethral resection of the prostate: An analysis of NSQIP dataProstate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases22 (2) 303–308
56.
RingdenITiseliusHG2007Composition and clinically determined hardness of urinary tract stonesScandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology41316–323
57.
RinglebO2013Lehrbuch der Kystoskopie einschliesslich der nach M. Nitzes Tod erzielten FortschritteBerlin; Heidelberg, Springer-Verlag
58.
SamplaskiMKJonesJS2009Two centuries of cystoscopy: The development of imaging, instrumentation and synergistic technologiesBJU International103 (2) 154–158
59.
SapreNBugejaPHayesECorcoranNMCostelloAAndersonPD2012Nurse-led flexible cystoscopy in Australia: Initial experience and early resultsBJU International110 (suppl. 4) 46–50
60.
SawpariRSamantaSBanerjeeJ, et al2023Recent advances and futuristic potentials of nano-tailored doxorubicin for prostate cancer therapyJournal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology81104212
61.
SchröderFHPHugossonJPRoobolMJP, et al2014Screening and prostate cancer mortality: Results of the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) at 13 years of follow-upThe Lancet384 (9959) 2027–2035
62.
ShahNROwenWLuBW, et al2010Novel ultrasound method to reposition kidney stonesUrological Research38 (6) 491–495
63.
SiegelRLMillerKDFuchsHEJemalA2022Cancer statistics, 2022CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians72 (1) 7–33
64.
SimplicioCLPuritaJMurrellWSantosGSDos SantosRGLanaJFSD2020Extracorporeal shock wave therapy mechanisms in musculoskeletal regenerative medicineJournal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma11 (suppl. 3) S309–S318
65.
SmithRACokkinidesVEyreHJ2007Cancer screening in the United States, 2007: A review of current guidelines, practices, and prospectsCA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians57 (2) 90–104
66.
StephensonAJKattanMWEasthamJA, et al2009Prostate cancer-specific mortality after radical prostatectomy for patients treated in the prostate-specific antigen eraJournal of Clinical Oncology27 (26) 4300–4305
67.
TaillyG2013Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy todayIndian Journal of Urology29 (3) 200–207
68.
TewariASooriakumaranPBlochDASeshadri-KreadenUHebertAEWiklundP2012Positive surgical margin and perioperative complication rates of primary surgical treatments for prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing retropubic, laparoscopic, and robotic prostatectomyEuropean Urology62 (1) 1–15
69.
TokudomeSAndoRKodaY2016Discoveries and application of prostate-specific antigen, and some proposals to optimize prostate cancer screeningCancer Management and Research8 (1) 45–47
70.
TürkCPetrikASaricaKSeitzCSkolarikosAStraubMKnollT2016EAU guidelines on interventional treatment for urolithiasisEuropean Urology69475–482
71.
ViswaroopSBGopalakrishnanGKandasamiSV2015Role of transurethral resection of the prostate simulators for training in transurethral surgeryCurrent Opinion in Urology25 (2) 153–157
72.
WiesenthalJDGhiculeteDDahRJPaceKT2011A comparison of treatment modalities for renal calculi between 100 and 300 mm2: Are shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy equivalent?Journal of Endourology25481–485
73.
WiltTJAhmedHU2013Prostate cancer screening and the management of clinically localized diseaseBMJ346 f325
74.
YangEJLiHSunXBHuangLWangLGongXXYangY2016Bipolar versus monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia: Safe in patients with high surgical riskScientific Reports6 (1) 21494
75.
YangSLinWCChangHK, et al2004Gyrus plasmasect: Is it better than monopolar transurethral resection of prostate?Urologia Internationalis73 (3) 258–261
76.
YoungHH1913A new procedure (punch operation) for small prostatic bars and contracture of the prostatic orificeJAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association60 (4) 253–257
