Narrative review of the history of microsurgery in urological practice.

The clinical need for magnified visualization during surgery spurred the evolution of microscope and microsuture technology. Innovative surgeons across various surgical specialties recognized the importance of utilizing and advancing these technologies. Operative microscopy allows human dexterity to perform beyond direct visual limitations. Microsurgery started in otolaryngology and ophthalmology, became popular in reconstruction and transplantation, and was then adopted in urology. Microsurgery in urology involves renal and penile revascularization, penile transplantation and free flap phalloplasty, testicular autotransplantation, reproductive tract reconstruction of the vas deferens and epididymis, varicocele repair, and sperm retrieval. By examining the peer reviewed and lay literature, this review discusses the history of microsurgery and its subsequent development as a subspecialty in urology.
Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tau-20-1441). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
(2021 Translational Andrology and Urology. All rights reserved.)