Association Between Administration of Antacid Medication and Anastomotic Stricture Formation After Repair of Esophageal Atresia

Prophylactic Acid-suppression Medication to Prevent Anastomotic Strictures After Oesophageal Atresia Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic stricture is a common postoperative complication of oesophageal atresia ± tracheoesophageal fistula (OA/TOF) repair. Acid gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is considered to be a factor in stricture formation and acid suppression medication is recommended post-operatively in consensus guidance. We aimed to investigate whether patients who were treated prophylactically with acid suppression medication had a reduced incidence of strictures compared to those who did not receive it.

METHODS

A systematic review of studies was performed, searching multiple databases without language or date restrictions. Multiple reviewers independently assessed study eligibility and literature quality. The primary outcome was anastomotic stricture formation, with secondary outcomes of GORD, anastomotic leak, and oesophagitis. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model, and the results were expressed as an odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

No randomised studies on the topic were identified. Twelve observational studies were included in the analysis with ten reporting the primary outcome. The quality assessment showed a high risk of bias in several papers, predominantly due to non-objective methods of assessment of oesophageal stricture and the non-prospective, non-randomised nature of the studies. Overall, 1395 patients were evaluated, of which 753 received acid suppression medication. Meta-analysis revealed a trend towards increased odds of anastomotic strictures in infants receiving prophylactic medication, but this was not statistically significant (OR 1.33; 95% CI 0.92, 1.92). No significant differences were found in secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis found no evidence of a statistically significant link between the prophylactic prescribing of acid suppression medication and the risk of developing anastomotic stricture after OA repair. The literature in this area is limited to observational studies and a randomised controlled trial is recommended to explore this question.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Refractory esophageal anastomotic stricture after esophageal atresia surgery improved with retrograde balloon dilatation through gastrostomy followed by laparoscopic fundoplication: a case report

BACKGROUND

An esophageal anastomotic stricture (EAS) after an esophageal atresia surgery occurs in approximately 4-60% of the cases, and its first-line therapy includes balloon dilatation. Oral balloon dilatation cannot be performed in some EAS cases; conversely, even if dilatation is possible, these strictures recur in some cases, necessitating a surgical procedure for repairing the stenosis. However, these procedures are invasive and have short- and long-term complications. If an EAS recurs repeatedly after multiple balloon dilations, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be the underlying cause. A fundoplication procedure may be effective for treating a refractory EAS, as in the present case.

CASE PRESENTATION

A neonatal patient with type D esophageal atresia underwent thoracoscopic esophago-esophageal anastomosis at the age of 1 day, and her postoperative course was uneventful. Thereafter, the patient underwent gastrostomy for poor oral intake at the age of 3 months. After gastrostomy, the patient presented with a complete obstructive EAS. Balloon dilatation via the oral route was attempted; however, a guidewire could not be inserted into the EAS site. Hence, retrograde balloon dilatation via gastrostomy was performed successfully. However, the EAS recurred easily thereafter, and laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery was performed to prevent GERD. The anti-reflux surgery cured the otherwise refractory EAS and prevented its recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Retrograde balloon dilatation is another treatment option for an EAS. When an EAS recurs soon after dilatation, the patient must be evaluated for GERD; if severe GERD is observed, an appropriate anti-reflux surgery is required before dilating the EAS.

Mixed-methods feasibility study to inform a randomised controlled trial of proton pump inhibitors to reduce strictures following neonatal surgery for oesophageal atresia

OBJECTIVES

This mixed-methods feasibility study aimed to explore parents' and medical practitioners' views on the acceptability and design of a clinical trial to determine whether routine prophylactic proton pump inhibitors (PPI) reduce the incidence of anastomotic stricture in infants with oesophageal atresia (OA).

DESIGN

Semi-structured interviews with UK parents of an infant with OA and an online survey, telephone interviews and focus groups with clinicians. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and descriptive statistics.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

We interviewed 18 parents of infants with OA. Fifty-one clinicians (49 surgeons, 2 neonatologists) from 20/25 (80%) units involved in OA repair completed an online survey and 10 took part in 1 of 2 focus groups. Interviews were conducted with two clinicians whose survey responses indicated they had concerns about the trial.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Parents and clinicians ranked the same top four outcomes ('Severity of anastomotic stricture', 'Incidence of anastomotic stricture', 'Need for treatment of reflux' and 'Presence of symptoms of reflux') as important to measure for the proposed trial.

RESULTS

All parents and most clinicians found the use, dose and duration of omeprazole as the intervention medication, and the placebo control, as acceptable. Parents stated they would hypothetically consent to their child's participation in the trial. Concerns of a few parents and clinicians about infants suffering with symptomatic reflux, and the impact of this for study retention, appeared to be alleviated through the symptomatic reflux treatment pathway. Hesitant clinician views appeared to change through discussion of parental support for the study and by highlighting existing research that questions current practice of PPI treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that parents and most clinicians view the proposed Treating Oesophageal Atresia with prophylactic proton pump inhibitors to prevent STricture (TOAST) trial to be feasible and acceptable so long as infants can be given PPI if clinicians deem it clinically necessary. This insight into parent and clinician views and concerns will inform pilot phase trial monitoring, staff training and the development of the trial protocol.

Long term digestive outcome of œsophageal atresia

Œsophageal atresia is a rare neonatal malformation consisting in an interruption of the continuity of the œsophagus, with or without a tracheo-œsophageal fistula. Although mortality rate is now low and most cases can benefit from successful surgical repair soon after birth, morbidity -specially digestive and nutritional-remains high. Many of the adults born with œsophageal atresia will suffer from dysphagia, gastro-œsophageal reflux and/or œsophageal dysmotility, leading to nutritional consequences and quality of life impairment. Barrett's œsophagus, potential risk of œsophageal cancer as well as risk of anastomotic stenosis and eosinophilic œsophagitis justify transition to adulthood and a lifelong prolonged follow-up.