title: Long-gap oesophageal atresia: a nursing perspective.
abstract: Oesophageal atresia (OA) is a congenital anomaly in which the oesophagus ends in a blind upper pouch. Specialised family-centred nursing care is required for the neonate/infant with 'long-gap' OA. Goals of preoperative nursing care focus on prevention of aspiration, optimising nutrition and thus growth of the baby and supporting parents. Primary repair is delayed to enable further growth of the infant and additional oesophageal growth. Additional nursing and medical research needs to be undertaken in a number of areas relating to the management of infants with long-gap OA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Hawley
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000601:surgery; D005774:Gastrostomy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018529:Nutritional Support; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis