Fiberoptic bronchoesophagoscopy-assisted evaluation and prognostic factor analysis in children with congenital esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula.

Background: Esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) are serious congenital anomalies with high morbidity and mortality. Diagnostic and therapeutic fiberoptic endoscopy has been used in children to evaluate and manage trachea-esophageal anomalies. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors and the role of fiberoptic bronchoesophagoscopy (FB) in managing children with EA and TEF.

Methods: From 2000 to 2017, hospitalized children with suspected EA and TEF were enrolled in the study. All associated medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Basic characteristics, diagnoses, age of surgical reconstruction, FB findings, associated anomalies, and survival durations were reviewed. Prognostic factors associated with the patients' mortality were analyzed.

Results: A total of 33 children were enrolled, and 91% of them were type C. The median age at the time of hospitalization was 26 days (range, birth to 9 years), including 20 (61%) low-birth-weight infants and 26 (79 %) referred patients. FB was performed in patients preoperatively (39%) and postoperatively (96.8%). Among them, 28 patients (85%) had associated anomalies, including 17 (52%) cardiac and 23 (70%) airway anomalies. The median age of 31 patients who underwent surgical reconstruction was 3 (range, 0-39) days. Esophageal anastomotic stricture (21/31, 67.7%) was the most common postsurgical complication. Twenty-three patients (74.2%) received postoperative FB-guided interventions, including balloon dilatation, laser therapy, and stent implantation. Among the 9 mortality cases, the median age at death was 270 (range, 4-3246) days. Significant factor associated with mortality was delayed (> 48 h old) or no surgical reconstruction (p = 0.030).

Conclusion: Delayed (>48-hour old) or no surgical reconstruction was significantly related to mortality in children with congenital EA and TEF. Preoperative and postoperative FB evaluations helped to facilitate diagnoses and nonsurgical managements and resolve the patients' tracheoesophageal problems.