title: Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: success and failure rates in the United Arab Emirates.
abstract: The management of esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has improved markedly over the years, with a current overall survival of 80%-90%. This however, is not the case in developing countries, where mortality continues to be high. The results of treatment of 41 consecutive cases EA and/or TEF have been analyzed to determine factors pertinent to the outcome. The distribution of anomalies and a postoperative survival of 86.8% were comparable to those from developed countries. Aspiration pneumonia was unusually frequent in our patients (78%), but did not adversely influence outcome. Associated congenital anomalies as well as low birth weight continue to be important predictors of outcome in our setting. Our post-operative complications were similar to those from developed countries apart from a high incidence of stricture formation. This was attributed to gastroesophageal reflux, non-ventilation post-operatively, and the use of silk sutures to construct the anastomosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nawaz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matta
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shawis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jazcobsz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kassir
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Al-Salem
mesh_terms: D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015996:Survival Rate; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000151:congenital* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*