[Esophageal atresia, brachio-cephalic arterial trunk and tracheomalacia (author's transl)].

The case of 6 children operated for type III esophageal atresia with re-establishment of continuity is reported owing to the association with anterior tracheal compression by the brachio-cephalic arterial trunk. In the 5 cases, control radiography after the intervention showed a tracheotomy opposite the superior esophageal pouch and sometimes a notch in the anterior trachea. In all of the cases, endoscopy confirmed the presence of compression of the anterior aspect of the trachea by the brachio-cephalic arterial trunk. In 2 cases, esophageal transit was normal, the signs of tracheal compression disappeared after section-reimplantation of the brachio-cephalic trunk. In the other cases esophageal complications existed: stenosis, choking during swallowing, reflux. The surgical treatment of these complications led to the disappearance of the respiratory disorders.