Management of the newborn with gastrointestinal anomalies and tracheoesophageal fistula.

A standard approach to the otherwise healthy newborn with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula has been well established. A significant number of these infants have additional gastrointestinal anomalies that necessitate alteration of the usual operative management. Over 2 1/2 years, nine such newborns have been managed. There were 17 additional gastrointestinal abnormalities, the most frequent being an imperforate anus (5), malrotation (5), and intestinal atresia (4). Management consisted of initial formal laparotomy, thoracotomy, and central line placement. In four infants these procedures were performed at a single sitting. Eight infants survived (89 percent); the single death resulted from intracerebral hemorrhage. Detection of coexisting gastrointestinal anomalies is mandatory in the management of the newborn with esophageal atresia. Standard local gastrostomy and subsequent thoracotomy may delay recognition of these associated anomalies, increase morbidity, and complicate subsequent correction. Preliminary abdominal exploration with correction, diversion, or both followed by thoracotomy, either immediate or staged, is indicated.