Surgery of the mediastinum: historical notes.

One century ago, thoracic surgery was in its infancy. Since then, advances in chest radiology have allowed for reliable and early detection of thoracic ailments. Refinements in anesthesiology and surgical technique have led to the development of a plethora of techniques for the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of mediastinal disease. As the disease processes we encounter have expanded and evolved, so too has our surgical armamentarium.