title: [Isolated tracheo-oesophageal fistula in neonates].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Congenital isolated tracheo-oesophageal fistulae without oesophageal atresia account for about 4% of tracheo-oesophageal malformations. An Otolaryngologist, even with a paediatric practice, is unlikely to treat a lot of cases during his career. We report 3 cases and discuss the investigations and management of the fistulae.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three neonates with an isolated congenital tracheo-oesophageal fistula were treated between 1997 and 2002. We describe their presentation, investigation and treatment. We present radiology, endoscopic and surgical images for one case.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age at diagnosis of congenital isolated fistula was 6.7 days. In retrospect, the symptoms were usually present from birth. A barium swallow had demonstrated the tracheo-oesophageal fistula in 2 infants. In all three cases the fistula was clearly visualized by tracheoscopy. The most distal fistula was 25 millimetres below the true vocal cords. The closure of the fistula was made by cervicotomy in all cases. Our results are discussed with regards to the literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Congenital tracheo-oesophageal fistulae are rare malformations. Diagnostic delay is common. Tracheo-oesophageal endoscopy is the investigation of choice. Good results are obtained with surgery treatment via a cervical approach. The management of such fistulae requires medical teams familiar with neonatal endoscopy and cervical surgery.
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire G. de Clocheville, Unité d'ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale Pédiatrique, 37044 Tours, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bakhos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morinière
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Merieau
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lardy
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saliba
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lescanne
mesh_terms: D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery