Pericardial flap interposition for the definitive management of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula.

From 1974 to 1988, six children with fistula recurrence following primary tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) repair have been managed at our hospital. Reclosure of the fistula with pleural flap interposition was used as the initial corrective procedure in five patients, with an 80% incidence of second TEF recurrences. Due to these discouraging results, we have abandoned this technique and instead favor fistula reclosure with interposition of a pedicle of vascularized pericardium between the esophageal and tracheal suture lines. The pericardial pedicle is easy to mobilize, effectively isolates the tracheal and esophageal suture lines, and eliminates the often difficult task of finding sufficient pleural tissue for fistula interposition in small infants. Furthermore, the vascularized pedicle serves as a template for the ingrowth of neomucosa from the existing esophageal mucosa should an anastomotic leak occur. Since adopting this approach, we have used this technique on four children, three of whom had second recurrences after pleural interposition, and have had no evidence of recurrent fistula formation at follow-up ranging from 2 to 6 years. With at least a 20% incidence of second recurrences reported following conventional management with fistula closure and pleural interposition, we believe use of a pericardial flap in the management of the recurrent TEF is the most appropriate surgical procedure.     

Surgical treatment of recurrent tracheo-esophageal fistula using a latissimus dorsi pedicled muscle flap--report of a case

We report herein, a case of a child in whom a prepared latissimus dorsi muscle flap was successfully utilized in the treatment of recurrent tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF). A 12-month-old girl who had undergone a primary repair of Gross's type C esophageal atresia at 6 days of age and a secondary repair of recurrent TEF at 4 months of age experienced, postoperatively, repeated episodes of aspiration pneumonia caused by recurrence of the fistula. Thus, we performed a reoperation in which the fistula was excised, and a latissimus dorsi muscle pedicled flap was interposed between the tracheal and esophageal suture lines. Viability of the muscle flap was adequately achieved by means of a three-stage delayed operation. Although a minor anastomotic leakage of the esophagus was found postoperatively, it healed spontaneously, and the patient was commenced on a normal diet orally without any problems at 26 months of age.     

Surgical treatment of recurrent tracheo-esophageal fistula using a latissimus dorsi pedicled muscle flap —Report of a case—

We report herein, a case of a child in whom a prepared latissimus dorsi muscle flap was successfully utilized in the treatment of recurrent tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF). A 12-month-old girl who had undergone a primary repair of Gross’s type C esophageal atresia at 6 days of age and a secondary repair of recurrent TEF at 4 months of age experienced, postoperatively, repeated episodes of aspiration pneumonia caused by recurrence of the fistula. Thus, we performed a reoperation in which the fistula was excised, and a latissimus dorsi muscle pedicled flap was interposed between the tracheal and esophageal suture lines. Viability of the muscle flap was adequately achieved by means of a three-stage delayed operation. Although a minor anastomotic leakage of the esophagus was found postoperatively, it healed spontaneously, and the patient was commenced on a normal diet orally without any problems at 26 months of age.     

The use of biosynthetic mesh to separate the anastomoses during the thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula

Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula following the repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) is a difficult complication to manage, which makes prevention the dominant concern of surgeons performing the primary repair. To this end, the surrounding pleural tissues are usually brought over the tracheal closure to prevent the development of a recurrence during the open repair. This maneuver is not usually feasible when using the thoracoscopic approach. Therefore, in this paper, we describe a case in which we interposed a biosynthetic mesh between the esophageal and tracheal suture lines during the thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF on a 2.9-kg newborn girl.     

Platysma myocutaneous flap interposition in surgical management of large acquired post-traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula: A case report

INTRODUCTIONAcquired post-traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is an uncommon entity requiring early diagnosis. Among the many strategies in surgical management, we report a case successfully treated with a single-stage tracheal resection and esophageal repair with platysma myocutaneous interposition flap.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 24-year-old man had a motor vehicle accident with head injury and cerebral contusion who required mechanical ventilation support. Three weeks later, he developed hypersecretion, and recurrent episodes of aspiration pneumonia. The chest computed tomography, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and bronchoscopy revealed a large TEF diameter of 3 cm at 4.5 cm from carina. Single-stage tracheal resection with primary end-to-end anastomosis and esophageal repair with platysma myocutaneous interposition flap was performed. A contrast esophagography was done on post-operative day 7 and revealed no leakage. He was discharged on post-operative day 10. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy at 1 month revealed patient esophageal lumen. At present he is doing well without any evidence of complications such as esophageal stricture or fistula.DISCUSSIONThere are many choices of myocutaneous muscle flaps in trachea and esophageal closure or reinforcement. The platysma myocutaneous flap interposition is simple with the advantage of reduced bulkiness. Concern on the vascular supply is that flap should be elevated with the deep adipofascial tissue under the platysma to ensure that the flap survival is not threatened.CONCLUSIONThe treatment of acquired TEF with platysma myocutaneous flap is an alternative procedure for a large uncomplicated TEF as it is effective, technically ease, minimal donor site defect and yields good surgical results.     

Tracheal diverticula after tracheoesophageal fistula repair: case series and review of the literature

Background

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is the most common congenital tracheal abnormality, frequently associated with esophageal atresia. Respiratory symptoms are associated with all types of TEF, even after surgical repair of the fistula. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) with aspiration of gastric contents, structural instability of the airways (tracheomalacia), abnormal respiratory epithelium, abnormal esophageal motility, recurrent TEF, and esophageal stenosis contribute to postsurgical complications.

Methods

We review 7 patients between 4 and 14 years of age with a history of TEF repair and persistent or worsening respiratory symptoms despite conventional airway clearance techniques and treatment of GER.

Results

Bronchoscopic evaluation in all 7 patients revealed tracheomalacia and a diverticulum on the posterior wall of the trachea at the fistula repair site.

Conclusion

We hypothesize that the diverticula impaired airway clearance and contributed to persistent respiratory symptoms. Possible mechanisms for the diverticulum contributing to poor airway clearance include facilitating the pooling of secretions and acting as a “barrier” to the lower airway clearance mechanism. The diagnosis of a diverticulum should be considered early in patients with persistent respiratory symptoms after management of GER and tracheomalacia. Early obliteration of tracheal diverticula might improve respiratory status in some patients.     

Prediction and prevention of anastomotic complications of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula

We analyzed our experience with 64 infants with esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), to determine the possibility of prediction and prevention of anastomotic complications (leak, stricture, and recurrent TEF). In most of the infants, the anatomical level of the fistula was documented preoperatively by bronchoscopy. The level of the fistula, in turn, correlated with the esophageal anatomy at thoracotomy, ie, carinal fistulas had a wide gap between esophageal pouches, whereas midtracheal or cervical fistulas had a minimal gap. Major anastomotic complications were defined as leak requiring reoperation, symptomatic strictures requiring four or more dilatations, or a recurrent TEF. The complication rates wre: leak (major and minor), 21%; major stricture, 15%; and recurrent TEF, 5%. Major complications occurred in 42% (11/26) of infants with wide gaps, compared with 8% (3/36) of infants with minimal gaps. Route of repair (transpleural or retropleural) made no difference in incidence of anastomotic complications. No infant died of an anastomotic complication. Survival was 100% for Waterston A and B infants, 83% for Waterston C, and 90% overall. Severe gastroesophageal reflux, requiring Nissen fundoplication, was more common among infants with wide gaps than those with minimal gaps (32% v 3%). The most important pathogenetic factor, present in 79% (11/14) of major anastomotic complications, was anastomotic tension, determined by the gap between esophageal pouches, and predicted by preoperative bronchoscopy. Thus the bronchoscopic finding of a carinal fistula signals the need for technical measures that may limit anastomotic morbidity, such as myotomy, patching the anastomosis, retropleural approach, or delayed repair. Assuming precise technique and gentle handling of tissues, the anatomy of the anomaly determines the anastomotic morbidity of EA and TEF.     

Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: a multi-institutional analysis

OBJECTIVES: For the past 60 years, successful repair of esophageal atresia (EA) and distal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has been performed via a thoracotomy. However, a number of reports have described adverse musculoskeletal sequelae following thoracotomy in infants and young children. Until now, only a few scattered case reports have detailed an individual surgeon's success with thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF. This multi-institutional review represents the largest experience describing the results with this approach. METHODS: A cohort of international pediatric surgeons from centers that perform advanced laparoscopic and thoracoscopic operations in infants and children retrospectively reviewed their data on primary thoracoscopic repair in 104 newborns with EA/TEF. Newborns with EA without a distal TEF or those with an isolated TEF without EA were excluded. RESULTS: In these 104 patients, the mean age at operation was 1.2 days (+/-1.1), the mean weight was 2.6 kg (+/-0.5), the mean operative time was 129.9 minutes (+/-55.5), the mean days of mechanical ventilation were 3.6 (+/-5.8), and the mean days of total hospitalization were 18.1 (+/-18.6). Twelve (11.5%) infants developed an early leak or stricture at the anastomosis and 33 (31.7%) required esophageal dilatation at least once. Five operations (4.8%) were converted to an open thoracotomy and one was staged due to a long gap between the 2 esophageal segments. Twenty-five newborns (24.0%) later required a laparoscopic fundoplication. A recurrent fistula between the esophagus and trachea developed in 2 infants (1.9%). A number of other operations were required in these patients, including imperforate anus repair in 10 patients (7 high, 3 low), aortopexy (7), laparoscopic duodenal atresia repair (4), and various major cardiac operations (5). Three patients died, one related to the EA/TEF on the 20th postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: The thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF represents a natural evolution in the operative correction of this complicated congenital anomaly and can be safely performed by experienced endoscopic surgeons. The results presented are comparable to previous reports of babies undergoing repair through a thoracotomy. Based on the associated musculoskeletal problems following thoracotomy, there will likely be long-term benefits for babies with this anomaly undergoing the thoracoscopic repair.     

Surgical management of post-repair pulmonary vein stenosis

Obstructed pulmonary venous drainage - either in association with total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, congenital stenosis, or post-repair stenosis - is associated with poor outcome. Post-repair stenosis typically involves fibrotic scar tissue extending from the site of anastomosis. "Sutureless" repair techniques avoid direct left atrial-pulmonary vein suture lines by instead reconstituting atrial tissue to posterior pericardium. Hence, the repair leaves widely decompressed pulmonary veins in the posterior mediastinum draining directly into the left atrium as a 'controlled bleed.' In our experience, late outcomes are significantly more favorable with sutureless repair techniques versus conventional pulmonary vein surgery. Therefore, after these encouraging results, we have now extended the application of this repair strategy to all scenarios of pulmonary vein surgery, including primary repair of unobstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. The sutureless repair is versatile and facile. In particular, complex geometry of multiple decompressed veins can be easily accommodated by wide left atrial-pericardial suture lines. Common pitfalls can be avoided by mobilizing and protecting the phrenic pedicle and preserving the integrity of the areolar connective tissue and pleuro-parietal membrane. Overall, sutureless repair of anomalous or stenotic pulmonary veins appears safe and effective. Furthermore, in patients known to be at high risk of recurrent stenosis, sutureless techniques appear to offer improved freedom from recurrent stenosis.     

Crucial bronchoscopic findings in esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula

We performed a brief bronchoscopy in 42 newborn infants with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). The procedure was carried out in the operating room, usually just prior to thoracotomy for repair of the anomaly. Most infants had a gastrostomy tube placed initially. Observations included: (1) level of fistula, (2) presence of unusual variants, eg, double fistula, trifurcation fistula, (3) presence and severity of tracheobronchitis, and (4) position of the aortic arch. The endoscopic findings influenced the operative technique or management of 24 of the 42 infants (57%), including 13 infants (31%) with crucial findings which dictated a change in operative technique or management. Examples of the latter were an unsuspected cervical fistula associated with esophageal atresia, repaired by a cervical approach; other unusual variants of TEF (proximal fistula, trifurcation or quadrifurcation TEF), requiring specific dissection at thoracotomy; congenital stenosis of the right mainstem bronchus, requiring postoperative dilatation; or severe tracheobronchitis, which contraindicated thoracotomy. Observations at bronchoscopy accurately predicted the position of the aortic arch in ten recent infants, although the side of dominant pulsation was indeterminate in three other infants. Only one minor complication was attributable to the bronchoscopy. The procedure appeared to be safe and beneficial, and should be considered for all infants with esophageal atresia and TEF.     

Reassessment of the end-to-side operation for esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula: 22-year experience with 68 cases.

End-to-side anastomosis (ES) and ligation of the tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has been the procedure of choice for esophageal atresia at our institution since 1967. This report summarizes our operative and long-term results with the ES operation in 68 babies, including 33 in Waterston group A (50%), 23 in group B (35%), and 12 in group C (15%). An additional 10 patients had a primary end-to-end (EE) anastomosis, while 14 others required either staged EE repair or an esophageal replacement procedure. Overall survival rate with ES was 93% including two deaths attributed to major anastomotic leaks and sepsis, and three others in group C from cardiac anomalies. Six (9%) of those having ES anastomosis developed a recurrent TEF between 40 days and 21 months of age, necessitating reoperation. Predisposing factors to recurrent TEF were surgical inexperience (three cases; first operation for each surgeon), forceful vomiting secondary to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in two, and drug overdose in one. Anastomotic leak occurred in seven (10%) following end-to-side repair and was implicated in two deaths. Three patients developed minor anastomotic stricture requiring less than three dilatations, while one with a tight stricture needed as many as five dilatations over the first 14 months of life. Mild dysphagia and respiratory symptoms were uniformly observed during the first year, but only five patients (7%), including the two with recurrent TEF, required fundoplication for persistent GER. All patients were eating table foods after 1 year of age, while 10 (15%) have required periodic endoscopic removal of solid food lodged at the radiographically unobstructed anastomosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Thoracoscopic aortopexy for vascular compression of the trachea: approach from the right

Tracheomalacia resulting from vascular compression of the trachea may require aortopexy for symptomatic relief. Several operative approaches have been described for infants and children. The authors describe the technique of aortopexy by means of a right-sided thoracoscopic method as the initial approach to relieve tracheal compression in 2 children. Intraoperative bronchoscopy is mandatory to assess the adequacy of aortopexy prior to the completion of suture placement. This procedure was very successful in relieving tracheal compression in a 17-month-old boy with an aberrant innominate artery take-off and in a 2-year and 7-month-old boy with a history of esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula repair and severe tracheomalacia. A right-sided thoracoscopic approach to aortopexy in infants with severe tracheomalacia may be successfully performed as the initial operative intervention in infants with vascular compression of the trachea.     

Surgical management of acquired non-malignant tracheo-esophageal fistulas

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of one-stage surgical management of acquired non-malignant tracheo-esophageal fistulas (TEF). METHODS: Six consecutive patients, 2 men and 4 women with median age of 65 (range 34-71) years had tracheo-esophageal fistulas resulting from a median of 33 (range 20-86) days of intubation via oro-tracheal or tracheostomy tubes. Median TEF length was 2.6 (range 1.8-3.5) cm and the defect was associated with a tracheal stenosis near or immediately below the stoma in 4 cases (66%). Tracheal resection and anastomosis with primary esophageal closure was carried out in 4 patients; direct closure of the tracheal and esophageal defects with muscle flap interposition was performed in 2 patients: tracheal stoma was left in site because of the high risk of postoperative respiratory insufficiency related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. RESULTS: All six patients had complete control of the TEF. One perioperative death occurred on day 27 (16%) related to the recurrence of endocranial bleeding. The 5 long-term survivors were routinely submitted to tracheo-bronchoscopic control and only one (20%) revealed granulation tissue at the suture line requiring two consecutive bronchoscopic removals. CONCLUSIONS: Postintubation tracheoesophageal fistula is usually best treated with one-stage surgical procedure: which preferably consists of tracheal resection and anastomosis and primary esophageal closure.     

Tracheoesophageal fistula

Acquired TEF is a rare complication that can occur from a variety of causes. The most common etiology of nonmalignant TEF is as a complication of intubation with cuff-related tracheal injury. Most patients present with increased secretions, pneumonia, and evidence of aspiration of gastric contents while the patient is on mechanical ventilation. When diagnosed after extubation, the most frequent sign of TEF is coughing after swallowing. A high index of suspicion is required in patients at risk for developing a TEF. The diagnostic evaluation is by bronchoscopy and esophagoscopy. When the diagnosis has been made, the immediate goal should be to minimize tracheobronchial soilage by placing the cuff of a tracheostomy tube distal to the fistula. Reflux of gastric contents is diminished by placement of a gastrostomy tube, and adequate nutrition is facilitated by inserting a jejunostomy tube. Surgical correction is required because spontaneous closure is rare, but surgery should be postponed until the patient is weaned from mechanical ventilation because positive pressure ventilation after tracheal repair carries an increased risk of anastomotic dehiscence and restenosis. An anterior cervical collar incision can be used for most cases of post-intubation TEFs. The esophagus should be closed in two layers over a nasogastric tube and buttressed with a pedicled strap muscle flap. If the tracheal defect is small, primary repair can be employed. In most cases, however, the best results can be achieved with tracheal resection and reconstruction. The patient should be extubated at the completion of the case, if possible. With this strategy, as first described by Grillo and colleagues [27], single-stage repair can be performed safely and with a high success rate. Malignant TEFs cannot be cured because of the underlying incurable disease process. As with nonmalignant TEFs, the principal complications are tracheo-bronchial contamination and poor nutrition. Without prompt palliation, death occurs rapidly, with a mean survival time of between 1 and 6 weeks in patients who are treated with supportive care alone. The most common primary tumor causing malignant TEF is esophageal carcinoma. The other frequent cause is lung cancer. Patients present with signs and symptoms typical of TEF, including coughing after swallowing. Diagnosis is made by barium esophagography, and the location and size of the fistula is determined by bronchoscopy and esophagoscopy. Treatment must correct the two problems of airway contamination and poor nutrition. The most effective treatments are esophageal bypass and esophageal stenting. Bypass is demonstrated to resolve respiratory soilage and allow fairly normal swallowing, but it should be reserved for patients who can tolerate a major operation. Stenting can be offered to nearly all patients regardless of their physiologic condition. Stenting also limits aspiration and allows swallowing. Esophageal exclusion is rarely indicated in the current era of familiarity with stenting techniques. Direct fistula closure and fistula resection do not yield satisfactory results. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy combined might offer a survival benefit compared with supportive care alone. The complication of TEF secondary to malignancy is a devastating problem that carries a bleak prognosis, but when it is performed promptly after the diagnosis of a malignant TEF, esophageal bypass or stenting improves survival and quality of life for these unfortunate patients.     

A case of tracheoesophageal fistula cured by surgical therapy after blunt trauma received 38 years ago]

We experienced a case of tracheoesophageal fistula successfully cured by surgical therapy after blunt trauma received 38 years ago. A 71-year-old man was injured blunt trauma at right chest by traffic accident in 1960, and was treated for pneumothorax and ribs fracture. In April, 1998, the patient came to the hospital for hemoptysis. Tracheoesophageal fistula at membranous wall 3 cm upper from the carina was diagnosed and operation was performed. Severe adhesion at 3 cm upper from carina was thought to be fistula. Incision was made at lateral esophageal wall and the fistula was confirmed at the esophageal anterior wall and the esophagus was cut in a circle around the fistula. Trachea was closed 1 layer sutures using esophageal all layers and esophagus was closed with 2 layer sutures. A pedicled 4th intercostal muscle was interposed between the tracheal and esophageal suture lines. Prevention of tracheal stenosis was possible without resection of fistula and closure of trachea using esophageal all layers. This operation was seemed to be effective. This case is supposed to be the longest delay between time of injury and its repair in the world.     

Successful application of an omental pedicle flap in delayed repair of a perforated esophageal diverticulum: Report of a case

Mediastinitis resulting from a perforated esophageal diverticulum is a potentially fatal complication and the surgical treatment of persistent esophagomediastinal fistula may be difficult. In this report, we describe the successful application of an omental pedicle flap in the delayed repair of a perforated esophageal diverticulum. A 53-year-old man presented with chest and back pain and a diagnosis of perforated esophageal diverticulum was subsequently confirmed. After receiving conservative treatment, he was referred to our department and underwent surgical repair 6 months following the onset of the perforation. Through a right thoracotomy, the mucosal layer of the esophagus around the diverticulum was sutured, and an omental pedicle flap was used to cover the suture line and obliterate the fistulous tract. His postoperative course was uneventful and the suture line healed well. The successful treatment of this patient reinforces our belief that wider application of the omental pedicle flap can be expected in the field of thoracic surgery.     

Tracheoesophageal fistula after primary repair of type C esophageal atresia in the neonatal period: recurrent or missed second congenital fistula

Purpose

The aim of the study is to investigate whether a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) found after the primary repair of type C esophageal atresia (EA) is a recannulation of the original fistula, a missed proximal fistula, or other rare foregut malformation.

Methods

Between 2000 and 2009, 143 different types of patients with EA were admitted in our hospital. Seven patients (2 from our series, 5 referred to us by other hospitals with the history of primary repair of type C EA) had late presenting TEF. Esophagogram, 3-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) reconstruction, bronchoscopy, and reoperation were performed to confirm the TEF. Their medical records were reviewed and summarized.

Results

Persistent feeding or respiratory problems were the common symptom. The mean age of the first appearance was 17 ± 26 (1-63) months. Preoperative diagnosis was made by esophagograms and bronchoscopy in 6 patients. Reoperations were performed in all patients through thoracotomy. Missed proximal TEF shown as a distinct fistula above the primary anastomosis without much adhesion was confirmed in 5 cases. A recurrent TEF was found in 1 case. A case of communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation was confirmed by 3-dimensional CT reconstruction and reoperation.

Conclusion

A missed proximal TEF after repair of EA may be misdiagnosed as a recurrent TEF. Accurate preoperative diagnosis depends on combined evaluations of radiologic contrast study, 3-dimensional CT, and bronchoscopy.     

The absence of clinically significant tracheomalacia in patients having esophageal atresia without tracheoesophageal fistula.

The association of tracheomalacia (TM) with esophageal atresia (EA) has been well described. This study attempted to find a correlation between the severity of TM and the presence or absence of an associated tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) in patients with EA. A review of all patients presenting at this institution with EA through the years 1970 to 1990 was carried out. Six patients with EA without fistula (type A) and 61 patients having EA with fistula (types B, C, D, and E) were analyzed. Five of the six type A patients required esophageal dilatations and antireflux procedures; none had clinically significant TM. Thirty-five of the 61 patients with fistula required esophageal dilatation, and 8 had an antireflux procedure; 11 (18%) required either long-tube tracheostomy or aortopexy for TM. This small study supports a recent hypothesis of different embryological events resulting in different types of esophageal and tracheal anomalies. When EA occurs without fistula, it appears that no significant alteration in tracheal development occurs.     

应用显微外科技术重建食管45例

１９８０年１月～１９９７年１２月，对４５例食管病变采用显微外科技术进行重建，其中男３５例，女１０例。多种原因致食管狭窄２１例，食管重建后吻合口瘘或狭窄７例，晚期食管癌１７例。采用部分带蒂空肠游离移植２４例，空肠游离移植１５例，空肠瓣游离移植２例，前臂皮瓣游离移植４例。经６个月～１７年随访，有８例死于晚期食管癌，成活３７例均能经口进食，良性病变者均能恢复工作。该术式对晚期食管癌不能经口进食的患者，提高了生活质量，并为化疗、放疗提供了条件     

Thirty-five-year institutional experience with end-to-side repair for esophageal atresia

HYPOTHESIS: End-to-side repair (ES) with ligation of the tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) reduces the risks of stricture and gastroesophageal reflux disease requiring operation compared with the end-to-end repair of esophageal atresia and distal TEF. DESIGN: Case series with institutional and historical control subjects. SETTING: Referral children's hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-four infants diagnosed as having esophageal atresia and distal TEF between June 30, 1968, and July 1, 2003. INTERVENTIONS: Ninety-six infants having ES and 38 having end-to-end repair. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were studied for overall survival, surgical complications, and well-being during the first year of life. RESULTS: Survival was 95% vs 90% (patients undergoing ES vs end-to-end repair). Complications included anastomotic leak, 8% vs 13%; recurrent TEF, 7% vs 3%, with only 1 recurrence in the last 28 patients having ES; anastomotic stricture (requiring dilatation), 5% vs 13%; gastroesophageal reflux disease requiring operation, 6% vs 18%; and esophageal dysmotility, which was present following nearly all ES and end-to-end procedures. Tracheomalacia-related respiratory symptoms following ES decreased from 50% to 11% at 1 year of age. Age-appropriate diet following ES was achieved in 93% by 1 year; 5% experienced occasional dysphagia or choking episodes. CONCLUSIONS: The ES operation is accompanied by a reduced rate of stricture and gastroesophageal reflux disease requiring operation compared with end-to-end repair. Earlier concerns regarding an unacceptable risk of recurrent TEF were not substantiated.