Soviet Medical Encyclopedia

Gustav Killian

Otorhinolaryngology, Surgery, History of Medicine, Biographies

Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.

Summary

Gustav Killian (1860-1921) was a prominent German laryngologist who revolutionized rhino-laryngology by developing direct methods of examination and treatment for the upper respiratory tract, such as bronchoscopy, esophagoscopy, and suspension laryngoscopy. He also introduced the submucous resection of the nasal septum, the radical operation for the frontal sinus, and advanced the use of X-rays in nasal diagnostics.

Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)

KILLIAN, Gustav (1860–1921), German laryngologist; began his medical activity in Mannheim, then worked in Freiburg, where in 1892 he received the title of professor, and in 1911 was invited to Berlin to the Charité clinic. Killian is a brilliant reformer in many branches of rhino-laryngology: he developed direct methods for examining and treating the upper respiratory tract (bronchoscopy, esophagoscopy, suspension laryngoscopy), created the operation of submucous resection of the nasal septum and the radical frontal sinus operation, studied the

Gustav Killian: figure 1 from the 1928–1936 encyclopedia article

embryology of the accessory nasal cavities, tonsils, and esophagus, introduced the use of X-rays into the diagnostics of diseases

of the nose, and elucidated the question

of nasal reflex neuroses.

Killian published over 100 scientific works; the most important of these are: Zur Anatomie der Nase menschlicher Embryonen (Arch. f. Laryngologie, B. III, 1895); Entwicklungsgeschichtliche, anatomische u. klinische Untersuchungen über Mandelbucht und Gaumenmandel (ibid., B. VII, 1897–98);

Die Killianische Radikaloperation chronischer Stirnhohleneiterungen (ibidem, Band XIII, 1903); Die Nebenhöhlen der Nase in ihren Beziehungen zu den Nachbarorganen (Jena, 1903); Die Schwebelaryngoskopie (Arch. f. Laryngologie, B. XXVI, 1912); Zur Geschichte der Endoskopie (ibid., B. XXIX, 1915).

Cite this page

“Gustav Killian.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.com/article/killian/