Esophageal Atresia and Upper Airway Pathology

Abstract

Esophageal atresia is an anomaly with frequently occurring sequelae requiring lifelong management and follow-up. Because of the complex issues that can be encountered, patients with esophageal atresia preferably should be managed in centers of expertise that have the ability to deal with all types of anomalies and sequelae and can perform rigorous lifelong follow-up. Tracheomalacia is an often-occurring concurrent anomaly that may cause acute life-threatening events and may warrant immediate management. In the past, major thoracotomies were necessary to carry out the aortopexy. Nowadays, aortopexy and posterior tracheopexy can both be performed thoracoscopically with quick recovery.

Keywords: Esophageal atresia; Esophageal stenosis; Gastroesophageal reflux disease; Long gap esophageal atresia; Recurrent fistula; Tracheoesophageal fistula; Tracheomalacia.