Oesophageal atresia: improved outcome in high-risk groups?
OBJECTIVE
The Spitz classification of oesophageal atresia (OA) based on the birth weight and the presence of a major cardiac anomaly was proposed 1994. Advances in neonatal care have led us to question if these outcome figures are still valid. We tested the hypothesis that the outcome of neonates with OA has improved during the last decade.


METHODS
The records of all neonates (n = 188) born with OA and treated in a single institution between 1993 and 2004 were reviewed and compared with data from the original Spitz study. Data were obtained on the birth weight, presence of a major cardiac anomaly, and survival. Differences in survival were compared using the Yates-corrected chi2 test.


RESULTS
In the early period, 326 neonates survived (87.6%) compared with 174 (91.5%) in the most recent decade (P = .10). Based on Spitz classification, the outcome comparing both periods was the following: group I, 97% (283/293) and 98.5% (130/132) (P = .44); group II, 59% (41/70) and 82% (41/50) (P = .01); group III, 22% (2/9) and 50% (3/6) (P = .57), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The Spitz classification remains valid. It may be of use when counselling parents and in comparing outcome among centres. In our centre, the overall survival of neonates with OA has not significantly changed in the recent decade. The improvement in survival of neonates in group II, however, demonstrated the recent advances in neonatal, paediatric surgical, and cardiac care.
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, WC1N 3JH London, UK.
Pedro Jose
PJ
Lopez
Charles
C
Keys
Agostino
A
Pierro
David Paul
DP
Drake
Edward Matthew
EM
Kiely
Joseph Ignatius
JI
Curry
Lewis
L
Spitz
D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome