Bacterial colonisation of the upper pouch in neonates with oesophageal atresia.

The bacterial flora in the upper oesophageal pouch of forty neonates with oesophageal atresia was studied at daily intervals preoperatively. Of the twenty-nine infants whose oesophagus was anastomosed within 24 hours of admission, no organisms were isolated in sixteen, despite the fact that only nine of these patients had antibiotics. The remaining thirteen grew oropharyngeal organisms. Of eleven infants having delayed anastomosis eight received antibiotics. All eleven grew organisms in the upper pouch. Pseudomonas and serratia grew only in those receiving antibiotics. These results suggest that prophylactic antibiotics are rarely indicated. Efficient continuous aspiration of the pouch is probably more important.