Clinical Study of Congenital Esophageal Stenosis: Comparison according to Association of Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Balloon dilatation for congenital esophageal stenosis associated with esophageal atresia

PURPOSE

Congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) associated with esophageal atresia (EA) is rare, and no standard treatment has been established. We reviewed cases of EA-associated CES to assess the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes, especially the feasibility of endoscopic dilatation.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined patients with EA-associated CES. We also compared treatment outcomes of EA-associated CES with those of EA patients without CES who developed postoperative anastomotic stricture.

RESULTS

Among 44 patients with EA, ten had CES (23%). Postoperative complications were not significantly different between EA patients with CES and those without CES but with anastomotic stricture. All CES patients underwent balloon dilatation as initial treatment. Eight of nine patients (89%) were successfully treated by dilatation only, and one patient underwent surgical resection. The median number of balloon dilatations for CES was five (2-17), which was higher than that for anastomotic stricture in patients without CES (p = 0.012). Esophageal perforation occurred in five patients with CES (5/9, 56%) after dilatation, but all perforations were successfully managed conservatively with an uneventful post-dilatation course.

CONCLUSIONS

Twenty-three percent of patients with EA had CES. Although balloon dilatation for EA-associated CES required multiple treatments and carried a risk of perforation, balloon dilatation showed an 89% success rate and all perforations could be managed conservatively.

Congenital oesophageal stenosis in oesophageal atresia: underrecognised and often missed?

PURPOSE

Congenital oesophageal stenosis (COS) is characterised by an intrinsic oesophageal narrowing that is present, but not necessarily symptomatic at birth. Small studies report an association of COS with oesophageal atresia (OA) in up to 14% of OA cases. Although OA is usually appreciated shortly after birth, the diagnosis of a concomitant COS is frequently delayed. This risk may be increased with the current movement away from routine postoperative upper gastrointestinal (GI) contrast study following OA repair. We performed a systematic review of the literature to assess the timing of diagnosis of COS in patients with COS and OA and how this impacted on patient outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines was undertaken. Only patients with OA associated with COS were included. Delayed diagnosis was defined as presentation > 1 month of age.

RESULTS

14 full-text studies with a total of 131 patients were included. Diagnosis of COS was delayed in 62/131 (47%) patients. These children presented with symptoms of dysphagia and aspiration at a median age of 13.5 months (IQR 7-30 months). In total, 18/131 patients were identified at the initial operation, due to difficulty passing a tube distally into the stomach. The data on timing of contrast studies were provided in 60/131 (46%) patients. A routine postoperative contrast study was performed in 39/60 (65%) of these, of which COS was identified immediately in 28/39 (72%). A diagnosis of COS could also be made on retrospective review of the early contrast study in a further 6/39 patients, giving an overall sensitivity of 87%.

CONCLUSION

The association of COS and OA may be underrecognised and diagnosis delayed if routine contrast study is not performed. Contrast studies, performed in the neonatal period are effective at detecting a concomitant COS (sensitivity > 87%). This review supports routine early contrast study after OA repair with specific consideration of the presence of COS.

Thoracoscopy Approach in Prone Position for Esophagoplasty in Children

Congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) is a very rare clinical condition found in 1 per 25,000 to 50,000 live births. There are three histological types of CES described: tracheobronchial remnants, fibromuscular stenosis (FMS), and membranous stenosis. The first-line treatment in most cases is the conservative treatment (dilatation with a Savary bougie or balloon), but in some CES types, dilatation may be ineffective or result in esophageal perforation with serious complications or lethal outcome. Resection of the stenotic segment and end-to-end esophageal anastomosis was formerly presented as the most common surgical treatment option for CES. However, esophagoplasty is a safe and feasible alternative for surgical treatment of esophageal stenosis in children. Our aim is to report two cases of FMS submitted to thoracoscopic esophagoplasty. Both cases started with dysphagia and refusal after transition to solid diet, at 6 months old, and the radiological examination showed stricture of the distal esophagus. Esophagoplasty was performed with the patients in prone position. The stenotic esophageal wall was incised longitudinally and transverse synthesis was performed. After surgery, the patients had prompt recovery, without recurrent stenosis, remaining asymptomatic, with good diet acceptance.

Laparoscopic partial circular myectomy for congenital esophageal stenosis due to tracheobronchial remnant

Congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) is a rare anomaly, and its appropriate management is not well established. This may be the first report describing laparoscopic partial circular myectomy of the esophageal wall in an infant with CES caused by tracheobronchial remnant (TBR). The narrow segment of the esophagus was laparoscopically detected 1 cm above the esophagogastric junction because the segment was whiter and narrower than the other parts of the esophagus. The narrow segment was approximately 1.5 cm in length. Partial anterior 270° circular muscle layers were dissected using hook electrocautery. Small cartilage-like tissues were identified during the procedure. The muscular layers of both ends were interruptedly sutured. Intraoperative complications were not detected. After undergoing balloon dilation for slight residual stenosis, the patient could eat solid foods without vomiting. Laparoscopic partial circular myectomy is safe and effective for short-segment lower esophageal stenosis in patients with CES caused by TBR.