気道・食道異物 医外史

Abstract

Broncho-esophageal foreign bodies have been seen throughout human history. This paper presents foreign body cases from Japanese ancient writings particularly after 10th AD. and the correct location of trachea and esophagus, and future problems for foreign body treatments.1) There were several interesting removal methods. For example, a laryngeal rice-cake foreign body was removed by drinking vinegar, and an esophageal fish bone was removed with a hemp stick, and a pin using an array of beads with a string in the esophagus.2) T. Yamawaki pointed out the correct position of the trachea and esophagus in his book titled“Zohshi” (1759). Before this book, people had thought that the position of the esophagus was in front of the trachea.3) Two hundred modern Japanese people were asked where the location of trachea and esophagus were. Thirty-two percent of them believed that the esophagus was in front of the trachea. The author reported 7 reasons why they misunderstood the relative locations of the trachea and esophagus.4) Future problems regarding the broncho-esophageal foreign bodies and their diagnosis, anesthesiology and removal were discussed. Improvement in the flexible broncho-fiber scope, X-ray diagnosis and methods of anesthesia, and new removal methods for the bronchoesophageal foreign bodies are required.