Intraoperative fibreoptic bronchoscopy during neonatal tracheo-oesophageal fistula ligation and oesophageal atresia repair.

Maintenance of adequate ventilation under anaesthesia can be difficult during identification and ligation of congenital tracheo-oesophageal fistula with repair of oesophageal atresia. Anaesthesia may also be complicated by problems associated with prematurity, pre-existing aspiration pneumonitis, and difficulty positioning the endotracheal tube to prevent inflation of the stomach with increased risk of aspiration and diaphragmatic splinting. Even intubation of the fistula and gastric rupture may occur. Two neonatal cases are presented where use of a 2.2 mm neonatal bronchoscope passed through a 3.0 mm ID tracheal tube facilitated surgical identification of the fistula, diagnosis of fistula intubation and other airway problems intraoperatively.     

Lung function abnormalities in repaired oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory complications are common after neonatal repair of oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula. The prevalence of lung function abnormalities and the relation between gastrointestinal complications and lung function has not been studied in a large number of patients. METHODS: Lung volumes and flow-volume loops were measured in 155 patients without spinal curvature aged 6-37 years who had undergone surgery for oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula. RESULTS: Sixty four of the 155 patients had evidence of mild lower airways disease, with values for FEV1 more than two standardised scores below the predicted value in 39 (25%) and above 2 standardised scores for the residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC) ratio in 64 (41%). Restrictive lung disease (TLC more than 2 standardised scores below predicted) was present in 28 (18%). Severe lung function abnormalities were present in under 10% of the 155. Half the subjects had some evidence of extra-thoracic tracheal obstruction, with a high ratio of expiratory to inspiratory flow for peak flow in 76 (50%) and at 50% of vital capacity in 59 (38%). Patients with radiological gastro-oesophageal reflux in early childhood had more airways obstruction and smaller lung volumes. Patients with current gastrointestinal symptoms were similar in their lung function to symptom free patients. CONCLUSIONS: Minor lung function abnormalities are common in patients after repair of oesophageal atresia. Early diagnosis and management of gastro-oesophageal reflux may help to minimise these lung function abnormalities.     

Current surgical management of oesophageal atresia and/or tracheo-oesophageal fistula

During the last 40 years, 579 babies with oesophageal atresia and/or tracheo-oesophageal fistula have been admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne. There are 393 survivors. Advances in the surgical management have contributed to lowering the morbidity and mortality rates. This paper describes current surgical management of each anatomical variant at RCH; specific reference is made to the problems of the long gap oesophageal atresia and prematurity.     

Tracheal stenosis or agenesis in association with tracheo-oesophageal fistula and oesophageal atresia

Two babies are described with oesophageal atresia, a tracheo-oesophageal fistula and severe subglottic tracheal stenosis. A third baby, who did not survive, had a tracheal agenesis associated with bronchi arising from the oesophagus. A review of the types of tracheal stenosis and agenesis associated with various forms of tracheo-oesophageal fistula is included.     

Oesophageal plastic repair for symptomatic ballooning following circular oesophageal myotomy and correction of oesophageal atresia

Two patients with refractory anastomotic stenosis and symptomatic ballooning of the upper oesophageal pouch following repair of long gap oesophageal atresia are described. In both cases a circular myotomy had been used to elongate the proximal oesophageal segment at the time of primary repair. Both patients were successfully treated by Y-V plasty of the oesophageal stenosis and tailoring of the dilated segment.




     

Continuous extrapleural paravertebral infusion of bupivacaine for post- thoracotomy analgesia in young infants

We have studied the efficacy of a continuous paravertebral infusion of bupivacaine for the management of post-thoracotomy pain in 20 infants with a median age of 5.3 weeks (range 2 days to 20 weeks). Immediately before chest closure, 0.25% bupivacaine 1.25 mg kg-1 was injected into an extrapleural paravertebral catheter, inserted under direct vision. A continuous infusion of 0.25% bupivacaine 0.5 mg kg-1 h-1 was commenced 1 h later and terminated after 24 h. We found that extrapleural paravertebral catheter placement under direct vision was easy in neonates and infants. The technique provided effective postoperative pain relief in 18 (90%) patients and the failure in two (10%) infants was attributed to catheter block. Mean maximum serum concentrations of bupivacaine after the loading dose and during infusion were 1.03 (SD 0.56) and 2.00 (0.63) microgram ml-1, respectively. There were no major complications relating to the technique and we conclude that extrapleural paravertebral block is a simple and effective method for post-thoracotomy analgesia in young infants.      

The management of oesophageal atresia in neonates with right-sided aortic arch

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The management of oesophageal atresia (OA) in association with a right-sided aortic arch (RAA) is challenging. It is controversial whether right or left thoracotomy is the most appropriate surgical approach. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of RAA in patients with OA and the most appropriate surgical approach. METHODS: The case records of all the neonates with OA treated over an 18-year period (1980 through 1997) were reviewed. Patients with RAA were analysed with particular reference to the preoperative investigations, operative approach and findings, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Of the 476 case notes reviewed, 12 (2.5%) had a RAA, and 5 of these infants had major cardiac anomalies. The diagnosis was not suspected on preoperative chest x-ray in any of these infants. In only 1 of the 5 neonates who had a preoperative echocardiogram was RAA suspected. A right thoracic approach was performed in the 11 infants in whom a RAA was not suspected. Immediate conversion to a left thoracotomy with primary anastomosis was carried out in 2 infants. In 2 further infants, fistula ligation alone was performed because of a long gap atresia. Anastomosis via the right thoracotomy was performed in 7 infants. There were 3 anastomotic leaks, 1 intractable stricture, and 1 recurrent fistula. Three patients (25%) had a double aortic arch, and, as a result, a left thoracotomy had to be abandoned in 2. There were 3 deaths, 2 as a result of major cardiac anomalies and 1 related to prematurity and sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: RAA occurs in 2.5% of infants with OA. Preoperative chest x-ray and echocardiogram are unreliable as diagnostic modalities. Anastomosis via a right thoracotomy is associated with a 42% leak rate. The presence of a double aortic arch can make the oesophageal anastomosis via a left thoracotomy as difficult as via a right thoracotomy.     

Epidural infusion of levobupivacaine and sufentanil following thoracotomy

A prospective, randomised, double-blind study was conducted to compare the efficacy of two doses of levobupivacaine combined with sufentanil for continuous epidural infusion following thoractomy. A total of 72 patients undergoing lobectomy or pneumonectomy were enrolled. An epidural catheter was inserted between the levels of T4 and T6 before induction of anaesthesia and a loading dose of levobupivacaine and sufentanil was administered. At the end of surgery an epidural infusion was commenced at 5 mlxh(-1) and continued for 48 h. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either levobupivacaine 0.125% (group A) or 0.0625% (group B) and all patients also received sufentanil (1 microgxml(-1)). Visual analogue pain scores after coughing (VASi) were always higher in group B (p < 0.05); VAS pain scores at rest were higher for the first 4 h and at 16 and 28 h in group B (p < 0.05). Total morphine consumption and requests number was lower in group A (p < 0.05). Better pain relief was achieved using epidural 0.125% levobupivacaine.     

Audit of safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of local anaesthetic cystodiathermy

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to audit our experience of cystodiathermy under local anaesthetic (LA) at the time of flexible cystoscopy for recurrent superficial bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 264 flexible cystoscopies were performed on patients with a past history of TCC. The number and site of recurrences were recorded and selected patients were offered cystodiathermy. Patient tolerability was noted. At follow-up, any recurrence was recorded.

RESULTS

Eighty patients (30%) had 91 procedures showing one or more recurrences. Fifty-one of the 80 patients (64%) were treated with cystodiathermy under LA. All completed treatment. Forty-five (88%) tolerated the procedure well. Forty-seven (92%) treatments were completed within 5 min. At a median follow-up of 15 weeks, 30 (59%) treated patients had no recurrence and three (6%) had recurrence at the site of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

LA cystodiathermy is an effective and well-tolerated alternative to general anaesthetic cystodiathermy that enables treatment at the time of detection and may, thereby, reduce patient anxiety.