Oesophageal anastomosis without bougienage in isolated atresia--do the segments really grow while waiting?
Four cases of isolated oesophageal atresia, in which a successful oesophageal anastomosis was achieved without bouginage, are reported. The anastomoses were performed at ages from one month to three and a half months. No certain growth of the segments could be observed. However, in the cases, where the operation was performed after a longer waiting period, the lower segment was surprisingly thick walled, which made the anastomosis possible. A single Livaditis myotomy was required in three cases and a double myotomy in one. All patients needed Nissen's fundoplication because of gastro-oesophageal reflux, which caused stricturation of the anastomosis and oesophagitis. After the follow-up period of 1.3 to 2.5 years, two patients had an excellent result, one patient a fair result and one patient had died of his severe cardiac anomaly associated with Down's syndrome.
Lindahl
H
H
Children's Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Rintala
R
R
Louhimo
I
I
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000601:surgery*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery