Mechanisms of gastric distention in esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula.

This paper explains how the chest of the crying infant with the common form of esophageal atresia is a pump for ventilating the distal esophagus and inflating the stomach. Esophageal inflation from the trachea occurs during inspiration and esophageal deflation into the stomach during cry.

Rehabilitation medicine.

This article presents a limited overview of the assistance rehabilitation medicine can offer the elderly surgical patient. Appropriately timed rehabilitation can positively affect surgical outcome of elderly patients by restoring physical abilities and promoting independent function. Specific techniques and programs that follow rehabilitation principles can help offset organ system impairment associated with the aging process itself.

Diagnosis of tracheoesophageal fistula by analysis of gastric air.

Two patients receiving positive pressure ventilation experienced marked gaseous abdominal distension. Analysis of gases from the stomach, ventilator, and room air suggested that the gastric gases came from the ventilator in one patient. The diagnosis of tracheoesophageal fistula was confirmed by esophagoscopy.