title: Does postoperative ventilation have an effect on the integrity of the anastomosis in repaired oesophageal atresia?
abstract: Several authors have claimed that the use of postoperative ventilation or graded withdrawal of respiratory support reduces the incidence of anastomotic complications after repair of oesophageal atresia, particularly where the gap between the oesophageal ends has been extensive or where the anastomosis has been constructed under tension. Careful review of their data reveals little objective evidence to either support or refute this contention. Many institutions are achieving low leakage rates following oesophageal anastomosis in oesophageal atresia, but to date there has been no controlled study to show that the use of neck flexion, muscle paralysis, intubation and assisted ventilation postoperatively influences the integrity of the anastomosis. The sequence of observations that led to the presumed relationship between postoperative ventilation and oesophageal leak is reviewed. It would appear that the effect of postoperative ventilation and paralysis on the oesophageal anastomosis is yet to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand. spencerb@chhlth.govt.nz
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Beasley
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000601:surgery*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology