title: Development and evolution of pelvic exenteration: historical notes.
abstract: Fifty years after the development of pelvic exenteration, the operation remains a gold standard in the surgical management of advanced pelvic malignancy. The operation has evolved through several predictable phases including technical improvements, lowered morbidity and mortality, and improved patient selection. Despite progress in supportive peri-operative care, pelvic exenteration is a major undertaking that should be performed in centers with proven interest and expertise in the field. We trace the early developments of the operation, the period of maturation, and the current place of this procedure in the armamentarium of the oncologic surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts 02135-2997, USA. mlopezmd@semc.org
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Petros
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Augustinos
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010385:Pelvic Exenteration / Q000266:history*; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000266:history / Q000601:surgery