Abstract
The first modern craniotomy was carried out by Wilhelm Wagner in 1889 using the chisel and mallet. Very soon were developed specific instruments for perforation and cutting of the skull to raise the temporary osteoplastic bone flap. In this chapter we review all of these instruments classified in instruments for cranial drilling and cranial cutting, in both cases manual and powered. We tell the history of the Gigli’s saw, the most efficient and useful device for cranial cutting until the modern high-speed-powered vertical saws. Other types of tools used for cranial opening are also described: periosteal elevator, chisel, gouge, bone forceps, lifter and dissector. All of these instruments were gathered by manufacturers very soon in catalogues. We review the history of these commercial books and highlight their historiographic interest.
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González-Darder, J.M. (2019). Surgical Instruments for Craniotomy and the Success of the Humble Gigli’s Saw. In: Trepanation, Trephining and Craniotomy . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22212-3_28
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22212-3_28
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