History of the origin and development of colposcopy (dedicated to the 100th anniversary of colposcopy)

Abstract

Colposcopy is an important method for diagnosing benign and malignant diseases of the vulva, vagina and cervix, which allows for a significant impact on the timely detection of oncological pathology of the reproductive organs.

This review article describes the stages of formation and development over 100 years, as well as the current state of colposcopy. Herein, a bibliographic search was performed with the study of Russian and foreign scientific literary publications devoted to colposcopy and the creators of the method.

The article discusses the key stages in the development of colposcopy, its introduction into clinical practice, and modern aspects of the use of this method for diagnosing benign and malignant diseases of the female reproductive organs. Currently, the colposcopic diagnostic method, which was developed in the first half of the 20th century by the German doctor Hans Hinselmann and has an interesting history, has become basic in the practical activities of obstetricians and gynecologists all over the world. The result of domestic developments was the creation of the first Russian mobile digital colposcope.

Colposcopy is one of the most important diagnostic methods in gynecology, which has significantly expanded the possibilities of early detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer.

Keywords

colposcopy / Hans Hinselmann / cervix / cervical diseases / cervical cancer

References

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