Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia repair

Alternative Names: TEF repair; Esophageal atresia repair

Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia repair is surgery to repair two birth defects in your esophagus and trachea. Your esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Your trachea, or windpipe, is the tube that carries air to the lungs.

These defects usually occur together:

• Esophageal atresia is when the upper part of the esophagus does not connect with the lower esophagus and stomach.
• Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a connection between the upper part of the esophagus and the trachea or windpipe.

Description of Procedure

This surgery is almost always done soon after birth. Surgery is done while the child is in a deep sleep and pain-free from general anesthesia.

Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia can usually be repaired at the same time.

• The surgeon will make a cut on the right side of the chest between the ribs.
• The fistula, which is the abnormal connection between the esophagus and windpipe, is closed off.
• Then the upper and lower portions of the esophagus are sewn together.

If the 2 parts of the esophagus are too far apart, then:

• Only the fistula will be repaired during the first surgery.
• A gastrostomy tube (a tube that goes through the skin into the stomach) may be placed to give your child nutrition.
• Your child will have another surgery later to repair the esophagus.

Sometimes the surgeon will wait 2 - 4 months before doing the surgery. Waiting allows your baby to grow or have other problems treated. If your child's surgery is delayed:

• A gastrostomy tube will be placed. The gastrostomy tube is often placed using numbing medicines (local anesthesia) so that your baby does not feel pain.
• During this time, the doctor may want to widen your baby's esophagus with a special instrument called a dilator. This will make the future surgery easier.

Risks of Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia repair

Risks for any anesthesia include:

• Reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Risks for this surgery are:

• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
• Food leakage from the area that is repaired
• Low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Narrowing of the repaired organs
• Re-opening of the fistula

Tracheoesophageal fistula repair - series

Review Date: 1/30/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

_{Do not use this information for medical emergencies - Call 911. This information should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should always be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other websites do not constitute endorsements and are provided for information only. Any duplication or distribution of this information is strictly prohibited.
Copyright 2012 A.D.A.M., Inc.}