The history of esophageal surgery: pediatric aspects.

An attempt is made to explore those aspects of the history of esophageal surgery relevant to pediatric practice. In some areas, the history is entirely focused on conditions of particular pediatric significance; esophageal atresia is a classic example of this group. In other areas there is considerable overlap, which varies in extent, with the history of esophageal surgery in adult. Conditions to be considered in this group include gastroesophageal reflux and peptic and corrosive esophagitis. Finally, there is a group that for all practical purposes is related to patients in the adult age group, exemplified by carcinoma of the esophagus, but some aspects of the history of surgery for esophageal cancer are relevant to pediatric practice, particularly in the area of reconstruction of the alimentary tract and esophageal replacement. Before the consideration of each of these groups, comments are directed toward the "early days"" or the beginnings.