A new technique in primary repair of congenital esophageal atresia preventing anastomotic stricture formation and describing the opening condition of blind pouch: plus ("+") incision. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2011;2011:527323. [PMID: 21687616 DOI: 10.1155/2011/527323]

A wave-like anastomosis, a new technique of anastomosis to prevent stricture after oesophageal atresia repair

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic stricture still a frequent postoperative complication. Its development is multifactorial, nonetheless by improving some factors we can prevent the stricture. Anastomotic technique is among the factors that can be improved to prevent this complication.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Our aim is to report a new technique of anastomosis with a multiple plain suture, wave-like anastomosis and large low traction zone to prevent stricture after esophageal atresia repair. Furthermore this is a self-patient's anatomy dependant technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study reported forty nine esophageal atresia survivals without significant difference in weight and gap length. They were divided in two groups A and B with respectively eighteen and thirty one patients. The wave-like anastomosis technique is used in group A but in the group B an end to end anastomosis was used.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 3 years no patient of the group A presented with anastomotic stricture and eight patients in the group B presented with stricture (p=0,046) so there was a significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

This is a technique providing a multiple plain anastomosis, increasing the lumen in the anastomotic site and helping to prevent anastomotic stricture.

A new esophageal elongation technique for long-gap esophageal atresia: in vitro comparison of myotomy techniques

BACKGROUND

Complications such as stricture, leakage, recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula and mucosal pouch are commonly seen in myotomy techniques used for long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) treatments. Therefore, we think that there is a clear need for other techniques which would enable us to create more robust and longer esophagus in such cases. In this study, we reviewed multiple V-myotomy (VM) technique and the differences of the said technique with Livaditis circular myotomy (LM) and Kimura spiral myotomy (KM) techniques using literature as an aid.

METHODS

21 esophagus samples from 21 male lambs aged 12 months were used in vitro for the study. All esophageal samples were matched to have a length of 120 mm. Samples were divided into 3 groups of 7 and VM, LM and KM techniques were used in each group, respectively. Post-op esophagus lengths, elongation amount with each incision and perforation pressures were measured.

RESULTS

Post-op esophageal lengths were measured as 227, 210 and 200 mm for VM, LM and KM, respectively. Elongation amount per incision was measured as 5.1, 4 and 3.34 mm, again in previous order of VM, LM, and KM. Finally, perforation pressure following VM, LM, and KM was measured as 460, 400, and 410 mmHg.

CONCLUSION

VM was found to significantly increase total esophagus length and elongation per incision over LM and KM. In addition, VM was also shown to have a higher perforation pressure. Although in vivo live animal studies are required, we can say that VM can be used to create longer and robust esophagus.

Reoperation of Anastomotic Stricture after Oesophageal Atresia Repair: An Uncommon Event

Oesophageal atresia is a common malformation in which the survival rate in developed countries is around 90%, while its mortality remains very high in developing countries. Oesophageal stricture post-oesophageal atresia repair is traditionally treated by non-surgical approach. However, surgical resection of the oesophageal stricture may be necessary after the failure of dilations. We report one case of refractory oesophageal stricture post-EA repair in a 3-year-old girl, who underwent oesophageal atresia Type III repair at 11-day-old. We performed an end-to-end oesophageal anastomosis with tracheal oesophageal fistula closure by extra-pleural approach. The patient was lost to follow-up for 3 years. She was seen later for anastomotic oesophageal stricture with the failure of oesophageal dilatations. Surgical resection of oesophageal stricture was performed with end-to-end oesophageal anastomosis.

Diagnosis and treatment of congenital esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula

Esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) is a congenital life-threatening malformation which requires surgical repair, but it is still a challenge for patients and surgeons because of EA itself, possible combined severe deformities, and surgical risk. Thanks to the development and improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic methods and techniques, especially the progress achieved in preoperative EA diagnosis, successful surgery for long-gap EA/TEF, and the application of thoracoscopic technology, the survival rate after surgery has reached 95%. However, the possible postoperative complications and its managements should not be ignored.

A simple technique of oblique anastomosis can prevent stricture formation in primary repair of esophageal atresia

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic stricture is an important problem after esophageal atresia (EA) repair. This study evaluates a technique of oblique esophageal anastomosis without use of a flap in order to prevent stricture formation.

METHODS

Medical records of 16 patients (14 with EA type III and 2 with EA type IV Ladd-Gross classification) who underwent primary repair of EA at birth without anastomotic tension were reviewed, evaluating long-term follow-up results. All patients were studied with esophageal contrast study, pH-multichannel intraluminal impedance, and endoscopy. The incidence of complications and their management were analysed.

RESULTS

Contrast esophagogram and esophagoscopy always showed regular patency of the suture line.

CONCLUSIONS

Our technique of oblique anastomosis is simple, safe, and effective in preventing stricture formation even in the long-term follow-up.