Tracheobronchoplasty in Japan

More than a century has passed since the first tracheoplasty was successfully performed by Eiselsberg in 1896. In that time, tracheobronchoplasty has developed with the extension of operative indications. This review focuses on who contributed to the development of this operation in Japan, and in what ways, with comparisons to results for these operations in the West. The headings include "Pioneers and colleagues", "Symbols and taxonomy", "Surgical anatomy", "Surgical diseases", "Anesthesia", "Surgical techniques", "Results", and "The present state". Although effort has been made to acknowledge various opinions, the convictions expressed herein are my own.