J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 83(9): 820-823, 1982

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Report on the annual meeting

THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE OF SURGERY

Since I graduated from Kyushu University I have spent of surgeon's for 46 years life. During almost half century, various aspects in surgery, such as entity of surgical diseases, operative techniques, operative instruments and methods of anesthesia, have changed.
As for cancer, the incidence of colorectal cancer has remarkably increased year after year, and those of the breast cancer, liver cancer and the cancer of pancreas and bile duct has also slightly increased, whereas there is no change in frequency of the stomach cancer.
As for other diseases the incidence of ulcerativec olitis, Crohn disease, diverticulosis of the colon and esophageal varices have been increasing. Gastroduodenal peptic ulcer, appendicitis, hyperthyroidism, Buerger and Raynaud disease are listed as decreasing diseases. Tuberculosis, gigantic splenomegaly and parasitic diseases, such as liver abscess by dysenteric amoeba and elephantiasis by filaria are not seen at all at present.
In the past surgery was performed in favor of surgeon, but now it should be always of the patient.
Recently various excellent operative instruments and materials have been explored and operative technique has also been improved. It should not be forgotten, however, that some techniques among the old ones have been useful in modern surgery.

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