Introduction Print Section Listen The upper airways are defined as the trachea and mainstem bronchi. Functionally, the upper airways serve as conduits for ventilation. Anatomically and physiologically, however, they represent…

Introduction Print Section Listen While minimally invasive techniques have been used to alleviate esophageal symptoms, such as thoracoscopic release of vascular rings causing esophageal obstruction or laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal…

Introduction Print Section Listen Tracheostomy is one of the most commonly performed procedures in surgical practice. An intervention dating back to 1500 bc,1–3 tracheostomy, until recently, was used solely to…

Introduction Print Section Listen Trauma is the leading cause of death in individuals between the ages of 1 and 44. In the Western world, motor vehicle accidents account for the…

Introduction Print Section Listen Esophageal perforation is a challenging clinical condition that requires prompt diagnosis and management. Delay in identification and/or treatment results in high rates of morbidity and mortality….

Introduction Print Section Listen While accidental ingestion of caustic materials is more common in children, intentional ingestion is the leading cause of caustic esophageal injury in adults. The diagnosis should…

Introduction Print Section Listen A multiplicity of terms has been used over the years to describe paraesophageal hernia. These reflect the considerable confusion that persists to this day concerning its…

Introduction Print Section Listen Esophageal trauma can result from numerous etiologies, including iatrogenic injuries from endoscopic instrumentation or other thoracic surgical procedures, penetrating or blunt trauma, caustic ingestion during suicide…

Introduction Print Section Listen Benign strictures of the esophagus usually result from scarring and subsequent tissue contraction secondary to esophageal wall injury. This pathology is caused in most cases by…