Is thoracoscopic esophageal atresia repair safe in the presence of cardiac anomalies?

Birth weight and thoracoscopic approach for patients with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula-a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to analyze the results, feasibility and safety of the thoracoscopic approach for patients with esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) depending on the patient's birth weight.

METHODS

The study involved only type C and D EA/TEF. Among the analyzed parameters were the patients' characteristics, surgical treatment and post-operative complications: early mortality, anastomosis leakage, anastomosis strictures, chylothorax, TEF recurrence, and the need for fundoplication or gastrostomy.

RESULTS

145 consecutive newborns underwent thoracoscopic EA with TEF repair. They were divided into three groups-A (N = 12 with a birth weight < 1500 g), B (N = 23 with a birth weight ≥ 1500 g but < 2000 g), and C-control group (N = 110 with a birth weight ≥ 2000 g). Primary one-stage anastomosis was performed in 11/12 (91.7%) patients-group A, 19/23 (82.6%)-group B and 110 (100%)-group C. Early mortality was 3/12 (25%)-group A, 2/23 (8.7%)-group B, and 2/110 (1.8%)-group C and was not directly related to the surgical repair. There were no significant differences in operative time and the following complications: anastomotic leakage, recurrent TEF, esophageal strictures, and chylothorax. There were no conversions to an open surgery. Fundoplication was required in 0%-group A, 4/21 (19.0%)-group B, and 2/108 (1.9%)-group C survivors. Gastrostomy was performed in 1/9 (11.1%)-group A, 3/21 (14.3%)-group B and 0%-group C.

CONCLUSION

In an experienced surgeon's hands, even in the smallest newborns, the thoracoscopic approach may be safe, feasible, and worthy of consideration. Birth weight seems to be not a direct contraindication to the thoracoscopic approach.

Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Thoracoscopic and Open Repair For Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula

BACKGROUND

The aim was to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes for thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF and compare with open repair.

METHODS

Patients who underwent EA/TEF repair during 2000-2020 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with delayed repair were excluded. Demographic, operative, outcome data was collected. Outcomes were compared using Wilcoxon-rank sum tests for continuous, Chi-squared/Fisher's exact tests for categorical data.

RESULTS

There were 104 patients with primary repair, 49 (47.1%) underwent thoracoscopic repair per surgeon's choice. Type C accounted for 101 (97.1%) of the cases. Gestational age and birth weight were higher in the thoracoscopy group (p = 0.001). The rate of ≥3 VACTERL anomalies was higher in the OR group (p = 0.016). Operative time, rate of anastomotic leak, time to first oral feeding were similar (p > 0.05). Thoracoscopy group had decreased length of ventilation (p = 0.026) and length of stay (p = 0.029). The incidence of anastomotic stricture was higher in the thoracoscopy group (p = 0.012). Recurrent TEF was one case in each group. Rates of tube feeding at discharge and in first year were similar (p > 0.05), rate in third year was decreased (p = 0.032) in the thoracoscopy group. Rates of anti-reflux medication in first and third years, and fundoplication rate were similar (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Many of the short- and long-term outcomes are comparable between thoracoscopic and open repair of EA/TEF. Length of ventilation, length of stay are decreased in the thoracoscopy group. Anastomotic stricture is higher, the need for long-term tube feeding is lower after thoracoscopic repair. Although these results could be affected by selection bias, they are still promising for advancing thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF safely and efficiently.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Are Low Weight or Cardiopathy Contraindications for Thoracoscopic Repair of Esophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula?

BACKGROUND

 Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is becoming an increasingly widespread technique; there is still controversy about its indication in certain patients. Our objective is to analyze if potential risk factors such as major congenital heart disease (CHD) or low birth weight (LBW) are a limitation to this approach.

METHODS

 Retrospective study (2017-2021) of patients with EA and distal TEF who underwent thoracoscopic repair were included. Patients with LBW less than 2,000 g or major CHD were compared with the rest.

RESULTS

 Twenty-five patients underwent thoracoscopic surgery. Nine patients (36%) had major CHD. Five of them (20%) were LBW less than 2,000 g, and only 8% (2/25) presented both risk factors. There were no differences in terms of operative time, conversion rate, tolerance evaluated with gasometric parameters (pO2, pCO2, pH) or complications (anastomotic leak and stricture, both early or during follow-up) in patients with major CHD and LBW (1,473 ± 319 vs. 2,664 ± 402 g). One conversion to thoracotomy was performed in a neonate weighing 1,050 g due to anesthetic intolerance. There was no recurrence of TEF. One patient died at the age of 9 months, due to major uncorrectable heart disease.

CONCLUSION

 Thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF is feasible technique in patients with CHD or LBW, with similar results to other patients. The complexity of this technique warrants individualizing the indication in each case.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

 IV.

Developing a new predictive index for anastomotic leak following the anastomosis of esophageal atresia: preliminary results from a single centre

Background

The aim of this study was to determine a predictive index for the risk of anastomotic leak following esophageal atresia anastomosis,

Methods

This article reviewed the clinical data of 74 children with esophageal atresia in Fujian Children's hospital. The risk factors for anastomotic leak were analysed, and a new predictive index was proposed.

Results

The incidence of anastomotic leak was 29.7% after anastomosis in 74 children with esophageal atresia. Birth weight and gap length were risk factors for anastomotic leak. Logistic regression analysis showed that birth weight (Wald 2 = 4.528, P = 0.033, OR = 0.273) was a protective factor for anastomotic leak, whereas gap length (Wald 2 = 7.057, P = 0.008, OR = 2.388) was a risk factor for anastomotic leak. The ratio of gap length to birth weight had a positive predictive effect on the occurrence of anastomotic leak (AUC = 0.732, P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Birth weight and gap length are important predictors of anastomotic leak in esophageal atresia. Measurement of the ratio of gap length to birth weight is a helpful predictive index for anastomotic leak following the anastomosis of esophageal atresia.

Association of operative approach with outcomes in neonates with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula

PURPOSE

We sought to evaluate the impact of thoracoscopic repair on perioperative outcomes in infants with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF).

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program pediatric database from 2014 to 2018 was queried for all neonates who underwent operative repair of EA/TEF. Operative approach based on intention to treat was correlated with perioperative outcomes, including 30-day postoperative adverse events, in logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Among 855 neonates, initial thoracoscopic repair was performed in 133 (15.6%) cases. Seventy (53%) of these cases were converted to open. Those who underwent thoracoscopic repair were more likely to be full-term (p = 0.03) when compared to those in the open repair group. There were no significant differences in perioperative outcome measures based on surgical approach except for operative time (thoracoscopic: 217 min vs. open: 180 min, p<0.001). A major cardiac comorbidity (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.1; p = 0.003) and preoperative ventilator requirement (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0-1.9; p = 0.034) were the only risk factors associated with adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracoscopic neonatal repair of EA/TEF continues to be used sparingly, is associated with high conversion rates, and has similar perioperative outcomes when compared to open repair.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Selective approach to preoperative echocardiography in esophageal atresia

PURPOSE

Preoperative echocardiography is used routinely in neonates with esophageal atresia to identify patients in whom congenital cardiac disease will impact upon anesthetic and surgical decision-making. We aimed to determine the suitability of selective preoperative echocardiography.

METHODS

We performed a single-center retrospective review of neonates with esophageal atresia over 6 years (2010-2015) at our tertiary pediatric institution. Data included preoperative clinical examination, chest x-ray, and echocardiography. Endpoints were cardiovascular, respiratory, radiological, and echocardiography findings. Selective strategies were assessed using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value.

RESULTS

We identified 115 neonates with esophageal atresia. All underwent preoperative echocardiography. Cardiac defects were identified in 49/115 (43%) (major 9/115, moderate 4/115). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of abnormal clinical and radiologic assessment for major and moderate cardiac defects were 92%, 25%, 13%, 96%; for clinical examination alone were 92%, 25%, 14%, 96%; for absence of murmur, cyanosis, and abnormal respiratory examination were 92%, 28%, 13%, 97%. Selective strategies reduce echocardiograms performed by 22%.

CONCLUSION

Selective strategies allow for identification of neonates with esophageal atresia who may have deferral of echocardiogram unill after surgery. Selection may improve timeliness of care and resource utilization, without compromising patient safety.