title: Difficult esophageal atresia: trick and treat.
abstract: Although most patients with esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF) may benefit from "standard" management, which is deferred emergency surgery, some may present unexpected elements that change this paradigm. Birth weight, associated anomalies, and long gap can influence the therapeutic schedule of the patients with EA/TEF and can make their treatment tricky. As a consequence, detailed information on these aspects gives the power to develop a decision-making process as correct as possible. In this article, we will review the most important factors influencing the treatment of patients with EA/TEF and will share our experience on the diagnostic and therapeutic tips that may provide pivotal help in the management of such patients.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Surgery Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Neonatology, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital - Research Institute, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conforti
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Surgery Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Neonatology, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital - Research Institute, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morini
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Surgery Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Neonatology, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital - Research Institute, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: pietro.bagolan@opbg.net.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bagolan
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Esophageal atresia; Esophageal surgery; Gap assessment; Long gap; Short-term outcome