One hundred and one years ago Eduard Nikitich Vantsyan (1921-1989), an outstanding Soviet surgeon, B.V. Petrovsky's pupil, Doctor of Medicine, Professor, Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences, was born (Fig. 1). He was the author of more than 120 scientific works and 6 monographs devoted to the study of motor function and surgery of the esophagus, conservative treatment of its constrictions and cardiospasm, diseases of the operated esophagus. He had developed methods of total and segmental plasty of the esophagus, treatment of hernias of the esophageal aperture of the diaphragm and diverticula of the esophagus. He supervised 26 dissertations, including 12 doctoral theses. Eduard Nikitich is considered one of the founders of esophageal and diaphragm surgery.