Burckhard F. Kommerell and Kommerell's diverticulum.

Burckhard Friedrich Kommerell's scholarly description of the aortic diverticulum that bears his name was published in 1936. In the international literature, however the name of Kommerell survives only as an eponym. We present biographical information about Kommerell, as supplied by family members, and comment on the surgical relevance of his 1936 report.

History of esophageal surgery for benign disease.

The article examines the history of esophageal surgery for benign disease, looking at such surgeries as the first esophagotomy for a foreign body performed in 1738 and the first esophageal replacement of the esophagus in 1894. Various diseases are discussed, including stricture of the esophagus, hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux, diverticula of the esophagus, and motility disorders such as achalasia.

He who cannot take part in the friendly meal is half cut off from the society of man.

The history of oesophageal surgery is reviewed with particular reference to the early history of ingested foreign bodies, oesophagotomy and oesophageal stricture. Some emphasis is placed on those conditions, which are of particular significance in childhood. A brief mention is also made of the history of carcinoma fo the oesophagus.

[Development of reconstruction surgery of pharynx and esophagus]. / Rozwój chirurgii rekonstrukcyjnej gardla i przelyku.

We present historical review of pharyngooesophageal reconstruction after resection for carcinoma and pharynx and oesophagus stenosis. This paper presents development and complications after surgical treatment of pharynx and oesophagus. The most important of pharynx and oesophagus resection is reconstructive surgery.

The surgical management of esophageal stricture in children. A century of progress.

Early in this century all procedures performed on the esophagus were accomplished through its lumen. Ingestion of caustics was common and resulted in dense strictures for which complicated and ingenious methods of dilation were advised. Because obstructions usually recurred, by-pass operations were devised with conduits of skin or segments of the gastrointestinal tract. Now, in contrast, when burns occur, intensive steroid therapy usually prevents all but localized areas of stricture. These areas, if short, can be treated with hydrostatic balloon dilation under fluoroscopic control. If longer or resistant to dilation, these strictures can be managed by incision and insertion of a colic patch with excellent long-term results. To a previous series of children who have had esophageal patch with a vascularized segment of colon, now added is an experience with a free segment of small intestine with vascular anastomosis to an artery and vein in the neck and another case of a free patch of pericardium to the esophageal stricture.

Benign oesophageal strictures: historical and technical aspects of dilatation.

A review of the different bougies used over the years confirms that the dilators presently available are adequate for the conservative management of oesophageal benign strictures. Most of these are of an old but well-tested design. Several additional techniques may have to be tried in difficult patients. Dysphagia can be relieved by the passage os size 39 FG bougies but many will wish to increase this to 60 FG, if it is possible. Failure of conservative management by dilatation only can be defined as (a) technical impossibility to dilate sufficiently to relieve the dysphagia, which is rare, or (b) when the patient or the surgeon considers the procedure is being done too frequently, which must be measured in FG for the bougie and weeks for frequency. The more expert the surgeon becomes at dilatation, the safer it will become, and the necessity for surgical intervention will be less frequent.