Review of Complications of Operated Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula Patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed to investigate the complications arising during follow-up and the reasons for hospitalization in pediatric patients who were operated on for esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2007 and 2019, all patients operated for EA and TEF were evaluated in terms of age, gender, age at diagnosis, post-op, and complications in follow-up.

RESULTS

In the study, 28 of 50 patients were operated on for EA and TEF, 14 for isolated EA, and 8 for isolated TEF. The mean age of the patients was 4.9 ± 4.4 years, and 18 (36%) of them were female. The median age of diagnosis was 1 (IQR: 1-3) day and the mean follow-up duration was 4.6 ± 4.1 years. During follow-up, 84% of patients had recurrent pneumonia, 60% gastroesophageal reflux (GER), 34% growth retardation, 30% restrictive lung disease, and 18% scoliosis. Postoperative pneumonia, hospitalization, development of stricture and growth retardation were more frequent in patients with GER ( < .05). Patients with scoliosis had more frequent pneumonia and hospitalization rates ( < .05).

CONCLUSION

Hospital admissions of the patients with EA and TEF were higher due to GER, recurrent pneumonia, restrictive lung disease, and scoliosis in the follow-up. Pneumonia, hospitalization, stricture in the esophagus, and growth retardation were observed more frequently in patients with GER. Patients should be followed up by the pediatric pulmonology, gastroenterology, and orthopedic departments.