[Isolated congenital tracheoesophageal fistula]

Isolated tracheoesophageal fistula versus esophageal atresia - Early morbidity and short-term outcome. A single institution series

PURPOSE

We compared the postnatal course, morbidity and early results after repair for cases of isolated or "pure" TEF with those for cases of esophageal atresia (EA) with distal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF).

METHODS

Twenty-four consecutive infants were divided into two groups: isolated TEF [TEF group] (n = 5) and EA with distal TEF [EA group] (n = 19).

RESULTS

A high rate of prematurity (29%) and major cardiac and other surgically-relevant malformations (0.8 vs. 0.7 per infant) was found in both groups. The median age at surgery was 8 days for the TEF group vs. 1 day for the EA group (p < 0.01). Most infants of both cohorts had stable acid-base and respiratory parameters at admission. Generally, tracheoscopy provided valuable information regarding the position of the TEF. Surgery for isolated TEF was performed via right cervicotomy in 4 cases and via thoracotomy in one. Postoperative thoracostomy tubes were inserted in 3 cases and one emergency gastrostomy was created for acute gastric overextension (exclusively in patients with EA). The duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation (49 vs. 113 h, p = 0.045) and the median length of stay in the pediatric surgery unit (10 vs. 20.5 days, p = 0.003) were shorter for the isolated TEF group. Four EA patients experienced severe events. Total mortality was 8% (0 out of 5 with TEF vs. 2 out of 19 with EA).

CONCLUSION

Developmental delay and a high rate of morbidity were found in both groups. More complex surgery increased perioperative morbidity in cases of EA. With early recognition of isolated TEF, a less complicated course can be expected in comparison with esophageal atresia.

The treatment strategy for tracheoesophageal fistula

With the development of endoscopic techniques, the treatment of tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has made marked progress. As surgical intervention is often not an advisable option due to advanced malignancy and poor performance status of the patients, bronchoscopic intervention provides a good choice to palliate symptoms and reconstruct the airway and esophagus. In this review, we focus on the application of interventional therapy of TEF, especially the application of airway stenting, and highlight some representative cases referred to our department for treatment.

Cervical/thoracotomic/thoracoscopic approaches for H-type congenital tracheo-esophageal fistula: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Aim of this systematic review is to investigate the thoracic and cervical surgical approaches of H-type tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF) according to the position of the fistula.

METHODS

The PubMed database was searched for original studies on H-type TEF treatment published between 1977 and 2012. Manuscripts finally included were divided into open and thoracoscopic surgery groups.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies were selected for open surgery group, and most of them agree on the importance of pre-operative diagnosis of the fistula by preliminary tracheoscopy. Right cervicotomy was used in 70 cases (76.9%), left cervicotomy in 12 (13.2%), and thoracotomy only in 9 (9.9%). Five studies were included in thoracoscopic group (6 patients). Indications for the surgical approach (cervical vs thoracic) according to the position of the TEF were clearly described in 10 manuscripts, and all stated differences in surgical technique details. Complications and mortality rates were not statistically correlated to the different surgical approaches.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence base in regard to the treatment of H-type fistula in children is poor and the skills and preferences of the surgeons guide the choice of the procedure. Surgical division of the fistula is curative, and the key to a successful repair is the pre-operatively identification of the level of the fistula with tracheoscopy. Right cervicotomy seems to be the approach of choice in the majority of case, with the thoracic approach appropriate only for fistulae opening below T2. Further well-designed prospective studies which take into account of selection and performance bias are strongly required.