title: The effect of traction on esophageal structure in children with long-gap esophageal atresia.
abstract: We examined the esophageal structure in children who underwent traction to achieve primary repair of long-gap esophageal atresia. High-resolution ultrasound was used to compare thickness of the proximal and distal esophagus in children who had traction to achieve primary repair (n=15) to cases of esophageal atresia with shorter gaps that did not require traction (n=8). The muscularis propria of the upper esophagus was thicker in the traction compared to the non-traction group, though not statistically significant (respectively, 0.79 (0.18) mm vs. 0.71 (0.16) mm; p=0.29), measurements were similar for the lower esophagus (respectively, 0.79 (0.21) mm vs. 0.75 (0.13) mm; p=0.64). Combined mucosa and submucosa was very similar in both groups for the upper (respectively, 1.03 (0.15) mm vs. 1.04 (0.16) mm; p=0.95) and lower esophagus (respectively, 1.09 (0.23) mm vs. 1.01 (0.13) mm; p=0.37). The thickness of individual mural layers is maintained after increasing esophageal length with traction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, MMC 185, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. khanx020@umn.edu
authors.forename: Khalid M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Arash A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sabati
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kendall
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Foker
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D019160:Endosonography; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014143:Traction