EDITORIAL: HISTORY OF HAND SURGERY IN HONG KONG

Abstract

The development of hand surgery in Hong Kong can be largely divided into three phases: the early years, the 1960s and 70s, and the present. In the immediate post-World War II years, incidence of infectious diseases was high; there were many patients with tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, leprosy and osteomyelitis. In the 1960s and 70s, the light industry revolution brought along many patients with serious hand injuries caused by machines. Dr Yen-Shui Tsao was the first local surgeon trained in hand surgery. Prof. SP Chow and Prof. PC Leung were the two pioneers who developed this subspecialty and microsurgery during that period. At present, with the change in economic environment, the disease pattern has also changed. Despite our heavy clinical involvement, we have been very active in academic researches. The Hong Kong Society for Surgery of Hand was formed in 1986. For the past 15 years, the society organized Workshops and Annual Congresses attended by overseas speakers, including surgeons from China. It also provided scholarships for Fellows of the Asia-Pacific countries. In addition, the society provided the participants with the chance to exchange ideas and forge friendships. Hong Kong has thus been and will continue to be the meeting point of the East and the West.