title: Combination of spit fistula advancement and external traction for primary repair of long-gap esophageal atresia.
abstract: Primary repair of long-gap esophageal atresia with almost complete absence of thoracic esophagus was usually believed to be impossible. Thus, esophageal replacement with colon or gastric interposition seemed inevitable. Esophageal lengthening techniques could be an alternative approach. Herewith we describe for the first time the successful combination of the stepwise subcutaneous advancement of the upper esophageal segment (Kimura's technique) with transthoracic traction on the lower esophageal segment (Foker's technique). This combined lengthening technique leads to the primary repair of a long-gap esophageal atresia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Till
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rolle
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Siekmeyer
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hirsch
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foker
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D004944:Esophagoplasty / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014143:Traction / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome