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.