A safer way of suturing in Foker's technique.
OBJECTIVE
Foker's technique allows esophageal lengthening facilitating end to end anastomosis in long gap esophageal atresia. The problem faced with this technique is that the traction sutures cut through the tissues leading to re-operations. Our aim was to find a technique of suturing that will prevent the sutures from cutting through the esophagus.


METHODS
After dissection of the upper and lower esophageal pouches, purse string sutures were placed, two each on both pouches. Clips were applied at the ends of both the pouches. Sutures were brought out on the posterior chest wall and traction applied. This was tried in a total of three cases. Case 1 was a newborn with pure esophageal atresia, Case 2 was an eighteen month old child with cervical esophagostomy and gastrostomy, and Case 3 had esophageal atresia with distal fistula. Two cases were done thoracoscopically and the third one by thoracotomy.


RESULTS
In all three cases sutures held and lengthening could be obtained. In the first case it took twelve days, in the second case six days, and in third case eight days for the ends to come together.


CONCLUSIONS
This modification of traction sutures is simple and reduces the risk of suture disruption.
Department of Pediatric surgery, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Ponekkara, Kochi, 682041 Kerala, India. mohanabraham@aims.amrita.edu
Mohan K
MK
Abraham
Bindu
B
Sudarsanan
Naveen
N
Viswanath
Ramakrishnan
R
Puzhankara
Anup B
AB
Palliwal
Aisha
A
Naaz
Narasimha K
NK
Nandakumar
Ashwin
A
Prabhakaran
Divya
D
Prakash
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000601:surgery*; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D004946:Esophagostomy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005774:Gastrostomy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010994:Pleura / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000601:surgery; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods; D014143:Traction
Esophageal atresia; Esophageal lengthening; Foker technique; Long gap atresia; Thoracoscopy