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Updated: Jun 27, 2025

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Two surgical instruments.

Jeremy C Ganz1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.

Progress in Brain Research
|May 5, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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This study details ancient cranial surgical instruments, focusing on trepans and lenticulars. It clarifies the distinct uses and evolution of these tools from antiquity through the Renaissance.

Area of Science:

  • * Paleopathology and Medical History
  • * Surgical Instrument Evolution
  • * Ancient Neurosurgery

Background:

  • * Cranial surgery historically utilized drills and chisels.
  • * Trepanation, the opening of the skull, involved specific instruments with evolving designs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To differentiate between types of trepans (modiolus and non-penetrating).
  • * To clarify the distinct functions of Roman and Renaissance lenticulars.
  • * To trace the historical usage and design changes of cranial surgical tools.

Main Methods:

  • * Historical analysis of surgical instruments described in texts.
  • * Comparative study of trepan and lenticular designs across different eras.
  • * Literature review to resolve confusion regarding instrument nomenclature and function.
Keywords:
Crown trepanLenticularLentiform knifeNon-penetrating trepanTrepanTrephine

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Main Results:

  • * Identified two primary trepan types: the crown (modiolus) and non-penetrating.
  • * Distinguished between a Roman lenticular for cutting bone and a Renaissance lenticular for smoothing edges.
  • * Documented a shift in preference towards crown trepans during the Renaissance, with design modifications to control depth.

Conclusions:

  • * The modiolus and non-penetrating trepans served distinct roles in cranial access.
  • * The term 'lenticular' historically referred to two different instruments with separate functions.
  • * Instrument design evolved to improve safety and efficacy in ancient and Renaissance cranial surgery.