Revolutionizing laparoscopy

At AAGL’s 50th Global Congress on MIGS, Marcello Ceccaroni, MD, PhD, gynecology and obstetrics, gynecologic oncology, minimally invasive pelvic surgery, International School of Surgical Anatomy, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy, spoke about how the revolution of laparoscopy relates to the revolution of rock and roll in his AAGL MED Talk.

“Rock and roll is a way of life and so is laparoscopy. It is not merely a surgery, it’s a revolution,” said Ceccaroni.

He started by comparing how the “tradition” of laparotomy came and went, eventually evolving to laparoscopy, which relates to how traditional rock evolved into rock and roll.

Previously, laparoscopy was an underground method, just like rock and roll, that eventually came to the forefront of the industry. Ceccaroni said people were not ready for laparoscopy, and those who initially performed it faced persecution, compared to rock stars being called crazy for stage diving and other revolutionary aspects that make up the rock and roll we know today.

This introduction of laparoscopy was initially considered a culture shock because while it was less invasive on the outside, there was a revolution occurring on the inside, Ceccaroni said.

Then, just like rock and roll, came the female revolution. Specifically, Ceccaroni mentioned the pioneering efforts of Liselotte Mettler, MD, PhD, and Linda Michels, MD, paving the way for the popularization of laparoscopy.

“We are now able to consider it as a powerful and revolutionary way of surgery. But laparoscopy is not only surgery, laparoscopy is bravery, vision, action, wisdom, leadership, but at the same time, tenderness, creating a family, and normalization,” said Ceccaroni.

Eventually, laparoscopy was integrated into the specialty thanks to the efforts of its pioneers, which are now teaching the next generation of minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons, which Ceccaroni calls “the children of the revolution.”

Now, laparoscopy is, as Ceccaroni described it, a pandemic, which is no longer forbidden, but now widespread and a reality. He urged the audience to use their voice and said that if you have the ability to change the world, then do it.

Just before he received a standing ovation, Ceccaroni concluded his presentation saying, “Rock and Roll is revolution, laparoscopy is revolution, we are revolution.”

Reference:

1. Ceccaroni M. The Rock and Roll Revolution of Laparoscopic Surgery . AAGL MED Talk presented at: AAGL’s 50th Global Congress on MIGS; November 16, 2021; Austin, Texas.