Surgical outcomes of esophageal atresia without fistula for 24 years at a single institution.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the surgical outcome of esophageal atresia (EA) without fistula for 24 years at a single tertiary center for pediatric surgery.

Methods: The study used a retrospective chart review of infants diagnosed with EA without fistula between 1981 and 2005.

Results: Of 33 patients with EA without fistula, 31 charts were available. Mean birth weight was 2327 g (range, 905-3390 g), and 71% were male. Most common associated anomalies were cardiac (n = 6; 19%) and renal (n = 5; 16%), followed by vertebral (n = 4; 13%) and anorectal (n = 2; 7%). The median initial esophageal gap was 5 vertebral bodies. Six had a primary repair, and 25 patients had esophageal replacement at a median age of 7 months. This involved gastric transposition in 20 (1 followed failed jejunal interposition), colonic interposition in 5, jejunal interposition in 1 (after a failed colonic), and repair at another center in 1. With a median review of 9 years, 21 patients had long-term sequelae with the need for multiple further surgical procedures including an antireflux procedure in 5. One patient died.

Conclusions: Management of EA without fistula remains challenging. Most patients required staged treatment that included esophageal replacement. The frequency of late complications indicates the need for programmed long-term review.