title: Transanastomotic feeding tubes in repair of esophageal atresia.
abstract: To avoid the need for a gastrostomy and parenteral nutrition during the 7- to 10-day healing period after esophageal anastomosis, the authors modified their technique for esophageal atresia repair to include placement of a transanastomotic feeding tube. A SILASTIC transanastomotic feeding tube and early enteral nutrition was used for 19 of 23 consecutively treated patients after repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. One of the 19 patients had recurrent fistula and another had an anastomotic leak. Five patients had significant gastroesophageal reflux (noted on barium esophagram), and four had strictures that required dilatation. Parenteral nutrition was necessary for only two patients. The authors conclude that transanastomotic feeding tubes and early enteral nutrition are safe and effective, reduce costs, and do not appear to increase the incidence of anastomotic leaks, strictures, or gastroesophageal reflux.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Moriarty
authors.forename: N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Jacir
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Latchaw
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Crombleholme
mesh_terms: D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000601:surgery*; D004946:Esophagostomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D012826:Silicone Elastomers