[Persistence of left superior vena cava associated to esophageal atresia: presentation of 5 cases].

BACKGROUND

Esophageal atresia is known to be associated with a variety of additional congenital anomalies in multiple organ systems. Persistent left superior vena cava is one of the most common venous thoracic anomaly, occurring in about 0,3% of the population. The aim of this study was to characterize persistent left superior vena cava in infants treated in Hospital Dona Estefânia with esophageal atresia.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all children treated for esophageal atresia from January 2002 to December 2013 was undertaken. Charts were reviewed for gestational age, weight, type of atresia, preoperative echocardiogram, associated anomalies, surgical approach, eventual postoperative echocardiogram and angioresonance for the study of congenital venous anomaly.

RESULTS

Of 107 children, five had persistent left superior vena cava. Of the five cases, one had prenatal diagnosis. Further investigation showed duodenal atresia in one, urologic malformation, coloboma and bilateral ear deformities in other. All five patients were operated on through right thoracotomy and primary anastomosis was performed after ligation of the trachea-esophageal fistula and underwent angioresonance to characterize the vascular anomaly. No operative or post-operative complications were registered.

CONCLUSIONS

Inspite of the preoperative workup, the anomaly was only identified in one of the patients. Generally, diagnosis of PLSVC is incidentally found during routine left-sided central venous catheterizations. It is essential to characterize the pattern of cardiac venous return that places those patients at a risk for paradoxical embolic complications to the arterial system.