title: Evolution of powered surgical instruments.
abstract: The history of powered surgical instruments has paralleled their need in surgery, particularly surgery involving hard tissue like bone or teeth. This development was of great importance, as the sophistication of procedures became more demanding, requiring the use of implants. The fields of neurosurgery, orthopaedics, otology, and dentistry have all played key roles in the development of the high-powered surgical instruments that are now used in every surgical and dental subspecialty. Power modalities that include pneumatic and electric sources along with the development of interchangeable accessories have revolutionized the surgical field, making procedures both safer and faster. Many physicians, dentists, and companies continue to contribute to this exciting and rapidly evolving industry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Messer
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Bill
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Luce
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Thacker
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Edlich
mesh_terms: D004560:Electricity; D004739:England; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000266:history / Q000295:instrumentation; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000266:history* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States