Tracheo-oesophageal fistula in Christchurch: a review.

The management of tracheo-oesophageal fistulae at Christchurch from 1968-1982 has been reviewed. Thirty-one cases have been diagnosed with 26 undergoing surgery. There has been an overall mortality of 48% but there was a trend towards improved survival figures. Other congenital anomalies were present in 56%. Oesophageal stenosis occurred in four of the operative cases and led to major problems in management.