Use of high-frequency jet ventilation in the management of congenital tracheoesophageal fistula associated with respiratory distress syndrome.

Two preterm infants (28 weeks, 960 g; 32 weeks, 1,870 g) with very large tracheoesophageal fistulas suffered from respiratory distress syndrome and failed to respond to conventional mechanical ventilation despite placement of a decompressive gastrostomy. Pulmonary air leaks developed in both, resulting in transdiaphragmatic pneumoperitoneum, and significant gas flow occurred through the gastrostomy tube despite placement under water-seal. High-frequency jet ventilation was instituted in each case and resulted in improved pulmonary gas exchange at lower mean airway pressure (12.0 to 6.7 cm H2O; 11.0 to 8.0 cm H2O) and in prompt resolution of air leaks. Both patients remained refractory to reinstitution of conventional ventilation until division of the fistula in the first patient and complete resolution of the respiratory distress syndrome in the second.