Endoscopic follow-up in esophageal atresia-for how long is it necessary?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to find out how long it is necessary to follow-up esophageal atresia patients endoscopically to prevent irreversible mucosal changes.


METHODS
Seventy-four of 79 long-term survivors with esophageal atresia and primary anastomosis underwent a total of 322 esophagogastroduodenoscopies during a follow-up period of 0.5 to 19 years (mean, 10.3) after the primary operation. For analysis, the biopsy findings were divided into 2 groups: good, histologically normal or only mildly inflamed mucosa; unfavorable, moderate or severe esophagitis or gastric metaplasia. Fundoplication irrespective of indications was considered unfavorable. The results were analyzed using actuarial survival analysis; the changing point was when a "good" turned into "unfavorable."


RESULTS
Forty-five patients (61%) remained in the "good" group throughout the study period; 15 of those (20%) had completely normal findings. Nine patients (12%) had moderate, one (1%) had severe esophagitis, and 13 patients (18%) had gastric metaplasia. Fundoplication was performed on 21 patients (28%).


CONCLUSIONS
About 40% of esophageal atresia patients eventually have significant esophageal mucosal pathology or need to have a fundoplication. The majority of these changes appear before the age of 3 years. Routine endoscopic follow-up of esophageal atresia patients is recommended at least to the age of 3 years.
Schalamon
Johannes
J
Children's Hospital University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Lindahl
Harry
H
Saarikoski
Hanna
H
Rintala
Risto J
RJ
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D004724:Endoscopy; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D017741:Survivors; D013997:Time Factors; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000601:surgery