Quantifying Upper Aerodigestive Sequelae in Esophageal Atresia/Tracheoesophageal Fistula Neonates

Validation of a PHIS Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula Cohort in ICD-10

OBJECTIVE

Validation of a contemporary International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) congenital esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal atresia (EA/TEF) cohort in the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database.

STUDY DESIGN

Database study, validation.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

METHODS

Search methods used to validate an ICD-9-CM EA/TEF cohort in PHIS were modified for ICD-10-CM. A retrospectively and prospectively maintained clinical database at a single high-volume EA/TEF center was used for comparison. Patients treated between October 1, 2015 and July 31, 2022 were included. Searches progressively narrowed the cohort by ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, expansion to include incorrectly coded as 'iatrogenic, age less than 30 days, and use of at least 1 ICD-10-CM procedure code. Results of PHIS data and institution data were compared for accuracy.

RESULTS

The most refined search of PHIS and the EA/TEF clinical database yielded 93 and 84 patients, respectively. The sensitivity was 99% and positive predictive value was 94%. A PHIS search using these methods and encompassing 49 children's hospitals yielded an EA/TEF cohort of 2479 patients.

CONCLUSION

We present a validated search method in the PHIS database to identify a high-fidelity cohort of EA/TEF patients for multi-institutional study. We have demonstrated that a carefully maintained clinical database may be used to validate cohorts in PHIS. This cohort allows for improved practice variability and outcomes study of EA/TEF patients. Similar methods may be employed to generate other rare disease cohorts in PHIS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4.

Thoracoscopic Stage Internal Traction Repair Reduces Time to Achieve Esophageal Continuity in Long Gap Esophageal Atresia

OBJECTIVE

 Management of long gap esophageal atresia (LGOA) is controversial. This study aims at comparing the management of LGOA between two high-volume centers.

METHODS

 We included patients with LGOA (type A and B) between 2008 and 2022. Demographics, surgical methods, and outcomes were collected and compared.

RESULTS

 The study population involved 28 patients in center A and 24 patients in center B. A surgical approach was thoracoscopic in center A, only for one patient was open for final procedure. In center B, 3 patients were treated only thoracoscopically, 2 converted to open, and 19 as open surgery. In center A primary esophageal anastomosis concerned 1 case, two-staged esophageal lengthening using external traction 1 patient, and 26 were treated with the multistaged internal traction technique. In 24 patients a full anastomosis was achieved: in 23 patients only the internal traction technique was used, while 1 patient required open Collis-Nissen procedure as final management. In center B primary anastomosis was performed in 7 patients, delayed esophageal anastomosis in 8 patients, esophageal lengthening using external traction in 1 case, and 9 infants required esophageal replacement with gastric tube. Analyzed postoperative complications included: early mortality, 2/28 due to accompanied malformations (center A) and 0/24 (center B); anastomotic leakage, 4/26 (center A) treated conservatively-all patients had a contrast study-and 0/24 (center B), 1 case of pleural effusion, but no routine contrast study; recurrent strictures, 13/26 (center A) and 7/15 (center B); and need for fundoplication, 5/26 (center A) and 2/15 (center B). Age at esophageal continuity was as a median of 31 days in center A and 110 days in center B. Median time between initial procedure and esophageal anastomosis was 11 days in center A and 92 days in center B.

CONCLUSION

 Thoracoscopic internal traction technique reduces time to achieve esophageal continuity and the need for esophageal substitution while maintaining a similar early complication rate.

A Minimally Interventional Approach to Oesophageal Atresia Repair With Early Enteral Feeding is Safe, Optimises Neonatal Outcomes, and Reduces Resource use

PURPOSE

Recent series of newborn Oesophageal Atresia (OA) repair continue to report widespread use of chest drains, gastrostomy, routine contrast studies and parenteral nutrition (PN) despite evidence suggesting these are superfluous. We report outcomes using a minimally interventional approach to post-operative recovery.

METHODS

Ethically approved (15/WA/0153), single-centre, retrospective case-note review of consecutive infants with OA 2000-2022. Infants with OA and distal trache-oesophageal fistula undergoing primary oesophageal anastomosis at initial surgery were included (including those with comorbidities such as duodenal atresia, anorectal malformation and cardiac lesions). Our practice includes routine use of a trans-anastomotic tube (TAT), no routine chest drain nor gastrostomy, early enteral and oral feeding, no routine PN and no routine contrast study. Data are median (IQR).

RESULTS

Of total 186 cases of OA treated during the time period, 157 met the inclusion criteria of which 2 were excluded as casenotes unavailable. TAT was used in 150 infants. A chest drain was required in 13 (8%) and two infants had a neonatal gastrostomy. Enteral feeds were started on postoperative day 2 (2-3), full enteral feeds established by day 4 (4-6) and oral feeds started on day 5 (4-8). PN was required in 15%. Median postoperative length of stay was 10 days (8-17). Progress was quicker in term infants than preterm. One infant died of cardiac disease prior to neonatal discharge. Two planned post-operative contrast studies were performed (surgeon preference) and a further 7 due to clinical suspicion of anastomotic leak. Contrast study was therefore avoided in 94%. There were 2 anastomotic leaks; both presented clinically at day 4 and day 8 after oral feeds had been started.

CONCLUSION

Our minimally interventional approach is safe. It facilitates prompt recovery with lower resource use, reduced demand on nursing staff, reduced radiation burden, and early discharge home compared to published series without adversely affecting outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4.

Primary Posterior Tracheopexy at Time of Esophageal Atresia Repair Significantly Reduces Respiratory Morbidity

PURPOSE

Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) is often associated with tracheobronchomalacia (TBM), which contributes to respiratory morbidity. Posterior tracheopexy (PT) is an established technique to treat TBM that develops after EA/TEF repair. This study evaluates the impact of primary PT at the time of initial EA/TEF repair.

METHODS

Review of all newborn primary EA/TEF repairs (2016-2021) at two institutions. Long-gap EA and reoperative cases were excluded. Based on surgeon preference and preoperative bronchoscopy, neonates underwent primary PT (EA + PT Group) or not (EA Group). Perioperative, respiratory and nutritional outcomes within the first year of life were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 63 neonates, 21 (33%) underwent PT during EA/TEF repair. Groups were similar in terms of demographics, approach, and complications. Neonates in the EA + PT Group were significantly less likely to have respiratory infections requiring hospitalization within the first year of life (0% vs 26%, p = 0.01) or blue spells (0% vs 19%, p = 0.04). Also, they demonstrated improved weight-for-age z scores at 12 months of age (0.24 vs -1.02, p < 0.001). Of the infants who did not undergo primary PT, 10 (24%) developed severe TBM symptoms and underwent tracheopexy during the first year of life, whereas no infant in the EA + PT Group needed additional airway surgery (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Incorporation of posterior tracheopexy during newborn EA/TEF repair is associated with significantly reduced respiratory morbidity within the first year of life.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

The International Network on Oesophageal Atresia (INoEA) consensus guidelines on the transition of patients with oesophageal atresia-tracheoesophageal fistula

Oesophageal atresia-tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF) is a common congenital digestive disease. Patients with EA-TEF face gastrointestinal, surgical, respiratory, otolaryngological, nutritional, psychological and quality of life issues in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Although consensus guidelines exist for the management of gastrointestinal, nutritional, surgical and respiratory problems in childhood, a systematic approach to the care of these patients in adolescence, during transition to adulthood and in adulthood is currently lacking. The Transition Working Group of the International Network on Oesophageal Atresia (INoEA) was charged with the task of developing uniform evidence-based guidelines for the management of complications through the transition from adolescence into adulthood. Forty-two questions addressing the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of gastrointestinal, surgical, respiratory, otolaryngological, nutritional, psychological and quality of life complications that patients with EA-TEF face during adolescence and after the transition to adulthood were formulated. A systematic literature search was performed based on which recommendations were made. All recommendations were discussed and finalized during consensus meetings, and the group members voted on each recommendation. Expert opinion was used when no randomized controlled trials were available to support the recommendation. The list of the 42 statements, all based on expert opinion, was voted on and agreed upon.

Delayed primary repair in 100 infants with isolated long-gap esophageal atresia: A nationwide analysis of children's hospitals

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the contemporary surgical management of long-gap esophageal atresia, a rare and challenging problem managed by pediatric general surgeons.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the Pediatric Health Information System database for infants who underwent neonatal gastrostomy, followed by surgical reconstruction for long-gap esophageal atresia (2014-2021). Patients with birthweight less than 1.5 kg and those who received neonatal cardiac surgery were excluded. Outcomes were analyzed, including the need for further procedures, length of stay, and mortality.

RESULTS

Of 1,346 infants who underwent repair across 47 major children's hospitals, 100 (7%) met the inclusion criteria for long-gap esophageal atresia. Cardiac anomalies were identified in 43% of patients. The median age at repair was 87 days (interquartile range, 62-133). Ten percent of patients had a planned or unplanned reoperation ≤30 days after index surgery, and 4% underwent reoperation at >30 days. The median time to reoperation was 9 days (interquartile range, 7-60). Mortality during index admission was 5%, and the median hospital length of stay was 143 days (interquartile range, 101-192). Length of stay was significantly longer in patients with cardiac anomalies (cardiac: 179 days, non-cardiac: 125 days; P < .001), and 52% of patients required at least 1 postoperative dilation. The median time to the first dilation was 70 days (interquartile range, 42-173).

CONCLUSION

This large multicenter study highlights the challenges of infants with long-gap esophageal atresia but suggests a high rate of successful delayed primary reconstruction. Hospitalizations are prolonged, and anastomotic stricture rates remain high. These data are useful for pediatric surgeons in counseling families on surgical repair strategy, timing, and postoperative outcomes.

The follow up of complex infants in an aerodigestive clinic

The current available literature evaluating pediatric multidisciplinary aerodigestive programs for the management of aerodigestive disorders in infants was reviewed. Multidisciplinary aerodigestive programs have emerged to provide coordinated and comprehensive care for the growing population of children with aerodigestive conditions, including complex airway, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and feeding disorders, which are prevalent among infants discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The team approach central to aerodigestive clinics offers a comprehensive diagnostic workup and unified management plan through consolidated interdisciplinary clinics, combined endoscopic procedures, and regular team discussions, leading to improved resource utilization and health care outcomes. We review common conditions presenting in the NICU that benefit from the aerodigestive model of care, including esophageal atresia, prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia with or without tracheostomy or ventilator dependence, and dysphagia.

Characterizing Pediatric Bilateral Vocal Fold Dysfunction: Analysis with the Pediatric Health Information System Database

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to characterize pediatric bilateral vocal fold dysfunction and to examine the overall inpatient mortality.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort analysis. Data from the Pediatric Health Information System was gathered for all pediatric patients with a diagnosis of bilateral vocal fold dysfunction between January 2008 and September 2020. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS

2395 patients accounted for 4799 hospitalizations with bilateral vocal fold dysfunction. Inpatient mortality occurred in 2.9% of the study sample. Chiari 2 was found in 2.8% of patients. The most common associated diagnoses were related to comorbid respiratory conditions (61.1%). The median adjusted ratio of cost to charges was $76,569. Aspiration was noted in 28 patients (1.2%). Gastrostomy was performed in 607 patients (25.3%). Tracheostomy was performed in 27% of patients. The overall 90-day readmission rate was 61%. On multivariate analysis, prognostic factors associated with increased hospital survival include gastrointestinal comorbidities (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18-0.49) and tracheostomy (HR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.12-0.37).

CONCLUSION

This database study represents the largest cohort analysis to date characterizing bilateral vocal fold dysfunction. Favorable prognostic indicators of overall hospital survival include gastrointestinal comorbidities and the presence of tracheostomy. Tracheostomy is associated with an increase in hospital costs, comorbidities, gastrostomy tube placement, and Chiari diagnosis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 2022.