Avicenna's canon of medicine and modern urology part II: bladder calculi

In the previous issue of the Urology journal, a comparison of Avicenna's Canon of Medicine with modern urologic findings was done in part I of this article, addressing bladder anatomy and physiology and bladder calculi. In part II of this review, the remaining chapters of the Canon of Medicine on bladder calculi are reviewed. Avicenna points to perineal urethrostomy [perineostomy], which is today performed as the last therapeutic line or as a temporary remedy before surgical treatment. He also describes surgery via transperineal route and warns the surgeon of the proximity of vasa deferentia, prostate gland, and neurovascular bundle and their exposure in this position. Usage of grasping forceps for removal of bladder calculus and emphasis on removing all calculus fragments are the interesting points of this chapter. Avicenna explains a technique similar to the use of a Babcock forceps for prevention of calculus migration. Complications of bladder calculus surgery and cystotomy are also addressed with scientific precision in the Canon. It is noteworthy that 8 centuries before Fournier described necrotizing fasciitis in male genitalia, Avicenna had described Fournier gangrene in his book

Avicenna's canon of medicine and modern urology part III: other bladder diseases

In the third part of this article on Avicenna's Canon of Medicine, diseases of the bladder other than bladder calculus are reviewed. Avicenna covers topic on bladder infection, pelvic abscess, urethritis, cystitis, postatitis, bladder tumors, bladder dysfunction, urinary retention, and neurogenic bladder. The interesting point is that 10 centuries ago, Avicenna had described almost all diseases of the bladder. Avicenna's Canon of Medicine is a comprehensive book on semiology of bladder diseases. His approach to diagnoses complies with the modern methodology, and even in some interventions such as routes of drug administration and catheterization, his points are astonishing

Avicenna's canon of medicine and modern urology part IV: normal voiding, dysuria, and oliguria

Avicenna, the Iranian scientist, describes the mechanisms of normal voiding in his famous book, the Canon of Medicine. Then, he enumerates urinary symptoms. In this article, his discussion on dysuria, its causes, and its pathophysiology is compared with these concepts in modern urology. Avicenna points to some etiologic theories of interstitial cystitis and chronic prostatitis. In the Canon, we can distinguish bases of the theory of infection and mucosal theory, along with abnormalities of urine, psychological factors, and abnormalities in prostatic secretions. Avicenna also indicates some differential diagnoses of and associated disorders with interstitial cystitis. His short but rather concise discussion on oliguria and its causes is an interesting point for urologists and nephrologists

Avicenna's canon of medicine and modern urology. Part I: bladder and its diseases

Studying the Avicenna's Canon of Medicine, provides noteworthy information on the subjects related to urology. Some examples of these amazing items have been confirmed by the modern urology: explaining the 2-stage function of the bladder [filling and emptying stages]; indirect pointing to a scientific law, named later as the Laplace's law, which is applicable to bladder physiology and explains intravesical pressure stability; describing the bladder layers and strength of the urothelial layer, which was later proved to be due to the tight junctions; describing the intramural ureter and its antireflux mechanism; scientific classifying the urethral and bladder diseases; and describing meticulously the semiology and epidemiology of bladder calculi. Avicenna has also pointed to inversion therapy in the treatment of urinary calculi, grating sign in bladder calculi, manipulation methods for treatment of bladder calculi, and finally, the Crede maneuver. His methodology is completely scientific, based on experiments and truly a basis of the modern medicine. This article is a review of Avicenna's views in medicine and their comparison with the modern urology