Extrapleural thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula

Traditionally, open repair of esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) required thoracotomy. Innovations in minimal access surgery have created a thoracoscopic technique resulting in violation of the pleural space. Most pediatric surgeons favor an extrapleural approach for open repair. We present a novel minimal access, extrapleural technique for repairing EA with TEF. A 2-day-old infant with EA and distal TEF underwent thoracoscopic extrapleural repair that utilized three ports. Initial creation of the extrapleural space was achieved through one of the port sites and was completed thoracoscopically. A thoracoscopic repair of EA with distal TEF was achieved within the extrapleural space. A small tear in the pleura was inadvertently created during the dissection. The child began feeding normally. At 1 year of age, the patient had dysphagia requiring a single esophageal dilatation. This is the first known report of an extrapleural thoracoscopic repair of EA with TEF. Although thoracoscopic repairs of EA/TEF have been previously reported, these were all done transpleurally. Many pediatric surgeons favor the extrapleural approach for two reasons: (1) containment of a potential leak within the extrapleural space, avoiding an empyema, and (2) easier transpleural access for future thoracic procedures.