Esophageal atresia and tracheo-esophageal fistula: a review

Genetic diagnoses and associated anomalies in fetuses prenatally diagnosed with esophageal atresia

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital anomaly occurring in 2.3 per 10,000 live births. Due to advances in prenatal imaging, EA is more readily diagnosed, but data on the associated genetic diagnoses, other anomalies, and postnatal outcome for fetuses diagnosed prenatally with EA are scarce. We collected data from two academic medical centers (n = 61). Our data included fetuses with suspected EA on prenatal imaging that was confirmed postnatally and had at least one genetic test. In our cohort of 61 cases, 29 (49%) were born prematurely and 19% of those born alive died in the first 9 years of life. The most commonly associated birth defects were cardiac anomalies (67%) and spine anomalies (50%). A diagnosis was made in 61% of the cases; the most common diagnoses were vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac anomalies, tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia, radial or renal dysplasia, and limb anomalies association (43%, although 12% met only 2 of the criteria), trisomy 21 (5%), and CHARGE syndrome (5%). Our findings suggest that most fetuses with prenatally diagnosed EA have one or more additional major anomaly that warrants a more comprehensive clinical genetics evaluation. Fetuses diagnosed prenatally appear to represent a cohort with a worse outcome.

Effect of cardia banding and improved anaesthetic care on outcome of oesophageal atresia in a developing country

We comparatively analysed cases of oesophageal atresia (OA) managed in Enugu, south-eastern Nigeria from October 2010 to September 2015 to evaluate our short-term outcome with management following incorporation of temporary cardia banding to gastrostomy for late presenting cases and improved anaesthesia in 2013. Overall, 19 cases were analysed. The clinical parameters did not differ in the cases managed before (Group A) and after (Group B) these introductions. Four (21.1%) cases had primary repair (2 per group), six (31.6%) had delayed primary repair after treatment of pneumonitis (Group A 5; Group B 1) and nine (47.3%) had delayed primary repair after gastrostomy (Group A 4; Group B 5). Anaesthesia-related mortality dropped from 53.8 to 7.7% and survival improved from 9.1 to 62.5% following the introductions. Despite persisting barriers to care, outcome of OA in our setting may improve with better anaesthesia and incorporation of temporary cardia banding to gastrostomy.

The management of postoperative reflux in congenital esophageal atresia-tracheoesophageal fistula: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Esophageal atresia (EA), with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), is associated with postoperative gastroesophageal reflux (GER). We performed a systematic review of the literature regarding routine anti-reflux medication post EA-TEF repair and its impact on postoperative GER and associated complications.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL, CENTRAL (Cochrane library) electronic databases and gray literature. Full-text screening was performed in duplicate. Included articles reported a primary diagnosis of EA-TEF, a secondary diagnosis of postoperative GER, and primary treatment of GER with anti-reflux medications.

RESULTS

Screening of 2,910 articles resulted in 25 articles (1,663 patients) for analysis. Most were single-center studies (92%) and retrospective (76%); there were no randomized control trials. Fifteen studies named the class of anti-reflux agent used, 3 the duration of therapy, and none either the dose prescribed or number of doses. Complications were inconsistently reported. Anti-reflux surgery was performed in 433/1,663 (26.0%) patients. Average follow-up was 53.2 months (14 studies).

CONCLUSION

The quality of literature regarding anti-reflux medication for GER post EA-TEF repair is poor. There are no well-outlined algorithms for anti-reflux agents, doses, or duration of therapy. Standardized protocols and reliable reporting are necessary to develop guidelines to better manage postoperative GER in EA-TEF patients.

Post-operative management of esophageal atresia-tracheoesophageal fistula and gastroesophageal reflux: a Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons annual meeting survey

BACKGROUND

Esophageal atresia (EA), with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), is commonly associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) after surgical repair. One risk factor for anastomotic stricture is post-operative GER. This survey assessed practice patterns among attendees at the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons (CAPS) annual meeting with respect to management of GER post EA-TEF repair.

METHODS

A pre-piloted survey was handed out and collected at the 2012 CAPS annual meeting. Data were entered and coded, and descriptive statistics were calculated.

RESULTS

We distributed 70 surveys, and 57 (81.4%) surveys were returned. On average, the incidence of EA-TEF is 8-10 cases per institution, per year. Anti-reflux medication is started immediately post-operatively in 74% of patients at institution of feeds (11%), or if symptoms of reflux develop (14%). Proton pump inhibitors and H2-receptor antagonists are used in approximately equal proportion. Patients are typically kept on anti-reflux medication for 3-6 months (37%) or 6-12 months (35%).

CONCLUSIONS

Most CAPS attendees treat postoperative GER prophylactically. However, there is no consistency in management strategy regarding which anti-reflux agent to use or for how long. A multi-centered study is required to establish a standardized protocol for the post-operative management of EA-TEF to prevent reflux and its effect on anastomotic strictures.

Total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage complicated by tracheoesophageal fistula

We provided emergency treatment to a 1-day-old neonate (1600 g) with tracheoesophageal fistula (gross classification, type C) and total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (infracardiac type) complicated by pulmonary venous obstruction. Emergency surgery was required because the tracheoesophageal fistula would have caused respiratory failure. Here we report the perioperative management techniques we used, including the surgical strategy.

Influence of maternal parity, age, and ethnicity on risk of esophageal atresia in the infant in a population-based study

BACKGROUND

The etiology of esophageal atresia (EA) is virtually unknown. We hypothesized that the maternal factors low parity, high age, and white ethnicity are involved.

METHODS

A Swedish nationwide, population-based, case-control study was nested in a cohort of newborn children in 1982 to 2004. Among 2,305,858 deliveries, 722 cases of EA and 3610 controls were included. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Matching, stratification, and multivariable regression were used to adjust for potential confounding.

RESULTS

A more than 30% decreased risk of EA was found for mothers delivering their second (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.56-0.83) or third child (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.49-0.83) compared to primiparous mothers. Children of women giving birth when 35 to 40 years and older than 40 years showed a 2-fold (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.09-3.99) and 3-fold (OR, 3.04; 95% CI, 1.37-6.74) increased risk of EA, respectively, compared to those of mothers younger than 20 years. This association remained when chromosomal abnormality cases were excluded (P = .004). There was a 66% increase in risk of isolated EA in children of mothers of white (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.06-2.61), compared to mothers who are not of white ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates an increased risk of EA in children of mothers having their first delivery, of older age, and of white ethnicity.

Tracheoesophageal fistula and associated congenital heart disease: implications for anesthetic management and survival

BACKGROUND

Infants with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and/or esophageal atresia (EA) frequently have other associated congenital anomalies which can have a significant impact on their anesthetic care and survival to discharge.

METHODS

A medical record review and retrospective data analysis were performed in a university affiliated children's hospital of all infants undergoing TEF/EA repair between January 1998 and July 2004. The incidence of intraoperative complications during the TEF repair and overall survival to hospital discharge was compared in two groups of infants: 26 patients with TEF/EA and coexisting congenital heart disease (CHD), and 27 patients with TEF/EA and no CHD.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of intraoperative critical events during repair of TEF/EA was significantly higher in infants with associated cardiac pathology (P = 0.003). Six of 53 infants died during hospitalization (overall mortality, 11.3%) and all had associated cardiac pathology. In comparison with nonductal-dependent lesions, the presence of a ductal-dependent cardiac lesion appeared to significantly increase patient mortality (57% vs. 10%, P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

Low birth weight (<1500 g) and associated cardiac pathology were found to be independent predictors of mortality in infants undergoing surgery for TEF/EA repair. The presence of a ductal-dependent cardiac lesion further increased the risk of morbidity and mortality, in addition to necessitating special anesthesia considerations.

[Utility of esophageal scintigraphy in congenital "H" type tracheoesofagea fistula]

We present the case of 15 day old female baby, with respiratory insufficiency, asphyxia and cyanosis when fed. She was diagnosed by ultrasound of intraauricular communication ostium secundum type. Passage of the contrast to the right respiratory tract but without localization of the fistula was observed in the esophagogastric contrast study. We performed esophageal scintigraphy that showed the passage of the isotope to both lungs, showing "H" type tracheoesophageal fistula. We review the bibliography on this special kind of disease.