The use of bowel in urologic surgery. An historical perspective.

An understanding of the evolution of intestinal usage in urologic surgery should not only be of academic interest but should also serve as an aid to the urologic surgeon in choosing a procedure most appropriate for the disease. In this manner the pitfalls of repeating errors can perhaps be avoided. It is hoped that this introductory review will provide the urologist with some historical insight into the different procedures that have laid the foundation for the variety of operations that will be described in the following articles.