Treatment of Patients Low Weight With Esophagus Atresia

Abstract

Introduction. Surgical treatment of intestinal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula involves resection of fistula and intestinal primary anastomosis. However, premature children often have complications associated with delayed anastomosis. Thus, an optimal surgical approach is not determined. Purpose. Analyzing treatment results in newborns with intestinal atresia and very low weight. Materials and methods. Treatments outcomes in infants with intestinal atresia and very low weight (less than 1500 g) from 2008 to 2017 were assessed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 2 groups: (1) fistula dressing and crossing with subsequent delayed anastomosis reconstruction and (2) primary anastomosis. Demographic, surgical and postoperative complications were compared. Results. 23 preterm children with IA/TEF were operated. Twelve patients (52%) underwent primary anastomosis, whereas 11 (48%) of them had a stepwise surgery. Anastomotic leak confirmed by esophagram was similar in both groups (17% and 18%). Stenosis was more common in step-wise surgery (83%) as compared to the group of primary anastomosis (27%) (р<0.05). The esophagus was preserved in two patients who underwent step-wise surgery. 4 patients had coloesophagoplasty. The postoperative period was similar in both groups. 6 patients (50%) from the step-wise group and 5 patients (45%) from the group of primary anastomosis died. Conclusion. Staging plasty of IA/TEF in newborns does not improve the quality of life. In this group, gastro- and esophagostomy exteriorization is a preferable surgical approach.