COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF RISK-BENEFIT RATIO OF USE OF SILICONE BOUGIE VERSUS ALTERNATIVE METHODS IN POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF ESOPHAGEAL ATRESIA.

The aim of the present research is to assess the beneficial and adverse effects of silicone bougie use in comparison to alternative methods of post-operative management of esophageal atresia. The study was carried on 28 patients treated at our healthcare institution for esophageal atresia during the period from May, 2017 to September, 2020. As an alternative to the use of esophageal bougie these patients were managed postoperatively, by utilizing the contrast imaging of the esophagus on the 7th and 14th days after surgery, and at the age of 1, 3, 6 months and one year.