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

Diagnosis and Management of Long-term Gastrointestinal Complications in Pediatric Esophageal Atresia/Tracheoesophageal Fistula

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) causes gastrointestinal (GI) complications that can begin in infancy and extend into adulthood. The etiology of these is frequently multifactorial, and they can adversely affect feeding, growth, respiratory health, and overall quality of life. This review highlights the importance of early diagnosis, multidisciplinary surveillance, and individualized treatment strategies to effectively manage these complications and improve long-term outcomes for affected children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have focused on the development of evidence-based surveillance protocols to optimally manage the numerous observed EA/TEF-associated digestive complications. Many of these complications stem from the combination of gastroesophageal dysmotility and mechanical obstruction inherent to EA/TEF and its surgical management, and include gastroesophageal reflux disease, feeding difficulties, dysphagia, eosinophilic esophagitis, and pulmonary consequences of aspiration. Management of GI complications in children with EA/TEF requires careful, multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment, incorporating dietary modifications, feeding therapy, pharmacotherapy, and surgical and endoscopic interventions.

Does thoracoscopic repair of type C esophageal atresia require emergency treatment?

BACKGROUND

Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has been performed with increasing frequency. Although many children have underwent surgery within three days after birth, the optimal timing for operation remains undetermined. This study aimed to investigate the appropriate timing for thoracoscopic repair of type C EA and its mid-term clinical outcomes.

METHOD

We retrospectively analyzed 142 patients with EA between April 2009 and April 2023. A total of 109 patients with type C EA who underwent thoracoscopic one-stage repair surgery were included. The patients were divided into two groups based on surgical timing: the early repair group (< 5 days) and the delayed repair group (≥ 5 days). Patients in the two groups were matched using propensity score matching (PSM) to eliminate the imbalance between groups caused by confounding factors such as severe cardiac complications, gestational age, and birth weight.

RESULT

The median age at surgery was 5 days (range: 1-16 days). After matching, 43 patients (out of 59) in the early repair group (group A) and 43 patients (out of 50) in the delayed repair group (group B) were included in the validation cohort. All cases (n = 86) successfully completed thoracoscopic one-stage repair surgery. Delayed surgery did not increase the incidence of preoperative and postoperative respiratory tract infections. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were comparable between the two groups. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were comparable between the two groups; however, patients in group B experienced a lower frequency of balloon dilation (1.8 ± 0.8 vs. 3.1 ± 1.1, P = 0.035) for anastomotic stricture during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

With improvements in neonatal surveillance, appropriately delayed surgery does not increase the incidence of respiratory infections, allowing surgeons to optimize treatment plans.

Ethics of Transition of Care of Pediatric Surgical Patients to Adult Providers

Pediatric surgeons have significantly improved survival rates for children with complex conditions, transforming many previously terminal cases into long-term survivorship. What was once a few years of follow-up has now become decades, leading to patients living well into adulthood, facing new challenges that often fall outside the traditional pediatric care zone. This creates an ethical dilemma: balancing beneficence and non-maleficence while ensuring equity in caring for new patients who require our expertise. The process of transitioning pediatric surgical patients to adult care introduces further ethical challenges, especially when it comes to upholding patient autonomy and ensuring assent during the transition process. We will review best practices and ethical frameworks for transitioning pediatric surgical patients to adult care, ensuring that these patients continue to receive optimal care while respecting their autonomy and ability to make informed decisions about their health.

Tracheobronchopexy to Avoid Tracheostomy in Esophageal Atresia Patients With Severe Life-Threatening Tracheobronchomalacia

BACKGROUND

Esophageal atresia (EA) is associated with tracheobronchomalacia (TBM), which in its most severe form, causes blue spells, brief resolved unexplained events (BRUEs) that can require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and positive pressure ventilation (PPV) or ventilator dependence, often requiring tracheostomy. We study the role of tracheobronchopexy, as an alternative to tracheostomy, in EA patients with severe life-threatening TBM.

METHODS

We reviewed EA patients who underwent tracheobronchopexy for blue spells, BRUEs, and failure to wean PPV or extubate from February 2013 to September 2021 at two institutions. Patient characteristics, surgical techniques, and respiratory outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

80 EA patients (most Gross type C 92.5 %) underwent 91 tracheobronchopexies at median age 6 (IQR 3-14) months for blue spells/BRUEs (53 %), PPV (21 %), and ventilator dependence (26 %). On preoperative dynamic bronchoscopy, most (90 %) demonstrated complete airway collapse. Surgical approach for tracheobronchopexy was posterior (73 %), anterior (23 %), and simultaneous posterior and anterior (4 %). Tracheobronchopexy included thoracic trachea alone (58 %), trachea and bronchi (41 %), and bronchi alone (1 %). At latest follow up of median 39 (IQR 14-64) months, there were no recurrent blue spells/BRUEs (p < 0.001) and significantly reduced PPV and ventilator dependence (p < 0.001). Nearly all patients (n = 75, 94 %) avoided tracheostomy. Mortality was 5 %, one 30-day operative mortality and three long-term mortalities related to underlying comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

In EA patients with severe life-threatening TBM, tracheobronchopexy significantly reduces blue spells/BRUEs, PPV, and ventilator dependence, and avoids tracheostomy. This surgical strategy should be considered the treatment of choice for EA patients with severe life-threatening TBM symptoms.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV Treatment Study.

Follow-up and transition practices in esophageal atresia: a review of European Reference Network on rare Inherited and Congenital Anomalies (ERNICA) centres and affiliates

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to understand the provision and distribution of esophageal atresia (EA) follow-up (FU) and transition services across European Reference Network for rare Inherited and Congenital Anomalies (ERNICA) member and affiliate centers.

METHODS

A REDCap questionnaire was sent to clinical leads of 18 ERNICA members and 14 affiliate centers.

RESULTS

29 of 32 centers responded (91%), the majority of which were highly specialized. Two-thirds had a dedicated EA clinic with a specialist multi-disciplinary team (MDT), offered to selected/complex patients only in 40% of centers. ERNICA centers were more likely to offer an MDT FU clinic than affiliates, with lack of resources most cited as a barrier to uptake (67%). Delivery of routine investigations was heterogeneous, particularly provision of three endoscopies over the course of FU (24%). Only 55% had a dedicated transition pathway, more prevalent in ERNICA centers (81% vs. 30%; p < 0.01). Self-reported awareness of ERNICA and European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) guidance for FU and transition was poor (28%).

CONCLUSION

Despite the existence of European follow-up and transition guidelines, their delivery is not uniform and may be limited by lack of awareness of the guidelines and a lack of resources.

The Value of Preoperative Rigid Tracheobronchoscopy for the Diagnosis of Tracheomalacia in Oesophageal Atresia Patients

BACKGROUND

Oesophageal atresia (OA) is often accompanied by tracheomalacia (TM). The aim of this study was to evaluate its presence in OA patients during routine rigid tracheobronchoscopy (TBS) before primary correction and compare this to postoperative TBS and clinical signs of TM.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients born with OA between June 2013 and December 2022 who had received a TBS before OA correction and had been followed for at least twelve months. Definite TM was postoperatively diagnosed through TBS, and probable TM was defined as having symptoms of TM.

RESULTS

We analysed data from 79 patients, of whom 87% with OA type C. Preoperatively, TM was observed in 33 patients (42% of all patients), seven of whom had severe TM. Definite TM was observed in 21 patients (27%), of whom 15 had severe TM. Forty-one patients (52% of all patients) had developed symptoms of TM within twelve months, including harsh barking cough (n = 15), stridor and/or wheezing (n = 20), recurrent respiratory insufficiency (n = 11), or needing airway surgery (n = 7). The sensitivity of preoperative TBS for the presence of postoperative (definite and probable combined) TM is 50.0%, 95% CI [35.2-64.8], and the specificity 67.6%, 95% CI [51.7-81.1]. Clinical characteristics did not differ between the patients with or without postoperative TM.

CONCLUSIONS

More than half of the studied patients with OA experienced symptoms of TM. While preoperative TBS is routinely performed prior to surgical OA correction, its predictive value for the presence of postoperative TM remains limited.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

TYPE OF STUDY

Study of Diagnostics Test.

Navigating global collaboration: challenges faced by the international network on esophageal atresia

The International Network on Esophageal Atresia (INoEA) stands as a beacon of collaboration in addressing the complexities of this congenital condition on a global scale. The eleven board members, from various countries (USA, Canada, France, Australia, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and The Netherlands) and backgrounds (pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric surgery, pediatric pulmonology, nursing, and parents) met in a face-to-face symposium in Lille in November 2023, to identify challenges and solutions for improving global collaboration of the network.

Disease-specific quality of life as part of the long-term follow-up for children born with esophageal atresia in an academic unit in South Africa-a pilot study

As neonatal mortality rates have decreased in esophageal atresia (EA), there is a growing focus on quality of life (QoL) in these children. No study from Africa has reported on this topic. This pilot study aimed to describe disease-specific QoL in EA children and its applicability as part of long-term follow-up in an academic facility in South Africa. Disease-specific QoL in children born with EA was assessed utilizing the EA-QoL questionnaire for children aged 2-17 years during a patient-encounter. The parent-report for children aged 2-7 years compromised 17 items categorized into three domains: eating, physical health and treatment, and social isolation/stress. The 24-item EA-QL questionnaire for children aged 8-18 (child- and parent-report) explored four domains: eating, body perception, social relationships, and health and well-being. A total of 13 questionnaires for children aged 2-7 years were completed by five parents. A negative perceived impact on their child's eating was reported by 46-92% of parents, and less impact in the other two domains. A total of 27 questionnaires were completed by eight children aged 8-17 years and 10 parents. Similar percentages children and parents reported a negative impact in the eating, social relationships, and body perception domains. More than half reported a negative impact on the child's health and well-being. This study supports the concept that assessment of disease-specific QoL should play a vital role in the comprehensive follow-up approach for children born with EA. We identified that parents of younger children were more likely to report eating disorders, whereas parents of older children were more likely to report health difficulties with different perceptions when it came to the child's scar.

"An urgent need for transition of care programs for adolescents and young adults with neurogastroenterology and motility disorders"

Transition of Care for Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Neurogastroenterology & Motility (NGM) Disorders.

Major surgical conditions of childhood and their lifelong implications: comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, the survival of children with congenital anomalies and paediatric cancer has improved dramatically such that there has been a steady shift towards understanding their lifelong health outcomes. Paediatric surgeons will actively manage such conditions in childhood and adolescence, however, adult surgeons must later care for these 'grown-ups' in adulthood. This article aims to highlight some of those rare disorders encountered by paediatric surgeons requiring long-term follow-up, their management in childhood and their survivorship impact, in order that the adult specialist may be better equipped with skills and knowledge to manage these patients into adulthood.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify relevant publications. Research studies, review articles and guidelines were sought, focusing on the paediatric management and long-term outcomes of surgical conditions of childhood. The article has been written for adult surgeon readership.

RESULTS

This article describes the aforementioned conditions, their management in childhood and their lifelong implications, including: oesophageal atresia, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, malrotation, short bowel syndrome, duodenal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, choledochal malformations, biliary atresia, Hirschsprung disease, anorectal malformations, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital lung lesions and paediatric cancer.

CONCLUSION

The increasing survivorship of children affected by surgical conditions will translate into a growing population of adults with lifelong conditions and specialist healthcare needs. The importance of transition from childhood to adulthood is becoming realized. It is hoped that this timely review will enthuse the readership to offer care for such vulnerable patients, and to collaborate with paediatric surgeons in providing successful and seamless transitional care.

A Narrative Review of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures and Their Application in Recent Pediatric Surgical Research: Advancing Knowledge and Offering New Perspectives to the Field

INTRODUCTION

 Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can be employed in both research and clinical care to enhance our understanding of outcomes that matter to patients. This narrative review aims to describe PROM use in recent pediatric surgical research, identify and describe psychometrically robust PROMs, providing an overview of those derived from pediatric patient input, and make recommendations for future research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 A search was conducted to identify articles published from 2021 to August 2023 describing the availability and/or use of at least one valid or reliable PROM in children with conditions including anorectal malformations, biliary atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, duodenal atresia, esophageal atresia, abdominal wall defects, Hirschsprung's disease, sacrococcygeal teratoma, and short bowel syndrome. Articles were categorized based on their objectives in applying PROMs. Psychometrically robust PROMs were identified and described.

RESULTS

 Out of the 345 articles identified, 49 met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen focused on esophageal atresia and 14 on Hirschsprung's disease. Twenty-nine PROMs were identified, with 12 deemed psychometrically robust. Seven psychometrically robust PROMs were developed using patient input in the primary item generation. Most PROMs were applied to advance understanding of conditions and/or treatment and fewer were developed or psychometrically evaluated. No PROMs were assessed for their impact or incorporated into an implementation study.

CONCLUSIONS

 This review reveals gaps in the application of PROMs in recent pediatric surgical research. Emphasis should be placed on the development and utilization of psychometrically robust PROMs, broadening the scope of covered diseases, conducting impact assessments, and evaluating implementation strategies.

Recent advances in the treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders in children

INTRODUCTION

Pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders represent some of the most challenging clinical conditions with largely undefined pathogenetic pathways and therefore limited therapeutic options. Herein, we provide an overview of the recent advances in treatment options for these disorders and their clinical impact.

AREAS COVERED

PubMed and Medline databases were searched for relevant articles related to the treatment of achalasia, esophageal atresia, gastroparesis, PIPO and constipation published between 2017 and 2022. In this article, we review and summarize recent advances in management of gastrointestinal motility disorders in children with a particular focus on emerging therapies as well as novel diagnostic modalities that help guide their application or develop new, more targeted treatments.

EXPERT OPINION

Gastrointestinal motility disorders represent one of the most challenging conundrums in pediatric age and despite significant advances in investigative tools, the palette of treatment options remain limited. Overall, while pharmacological options have failed to bring a curative solution, recent advances in minimal invasive therapeutic and diagnostic techniques have emerged as potential keys to symptom and quality of life improvement, such as ENDOFLIP, POEM, cine-MRI, fecal microbiota transplantation.