title: Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula.
abstract: Fifty-seven babies were surgically treated for esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula between 1968 and 1978. Forty-eight (84%) had proximal esophageal atresia and a distal tracheoesophageal fistula, 2 (4%) had proximal and distal esophageal atresia and no tracheosophageal fistula, and 7 (12%) had a tracheosophageal fistula without esophageal atresia. Primary repair was accomplished in 43 patients (75%), colon interposition was required in 5 (9%), while the remainder had staged or palliative reapirs. Forty-six (81%) survived surgical treatment. All 21 babies in Waterston Category A, 90% of 20 in Category B, and 44% of 16 in Category C survived surgical treatment. Serious complications occurred in 17 (30%), and dilatable strictures and other minor problems developed in 27 (47%). Late follow-up (mean, 48 months) revealed 3 (7%) late deaths, 2 of which were due to congenital heart disease. Three patients required late colon interposition, and several require frequent dilatations of the esophagus. The Category A and B survivors are all functionally well, while the 5 surviving Category C patients are all significantly impaired by associated anomalies.
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003106:Colon / Q000637:transplantation; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000601:surgery*; D004944:Esophagoplasty / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous