Laparoscopic gastric pull-up and thoracoscopic esophago-esophagostomy combined with intrathoracic fundoplication for long-gap pure esophageal atresia.

The management of long-gap pure esophageal atresia (LGEA) remains controversial. An 8-month-old girl with LGEA underwent a laparoscopic and thoracoscopic gastric pull-up and esophago-esophagostomy in the right thorax combined with intrathoracic fundoplication. She was positioned supine, and three 5-mm ports were placed in the standard locations for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. The gastrostomy was taken down and an additional 5-mm port was inserted at the gastrostomy site. Laparoscopic gastric mobilization was performed; the short gastric and left gastric vessels were divided using harmonic shears, and the whole stomach and distal esophageal stump maintained their vascular supply via the right gastric and gastroepiploic arteries. The hiatus was enlarged by radial incisions at both cruras, and the mobilized whole stomach and distal esophageal stump were pushed up into the right thorax through the hiatus. The patient was placed in a modified prone position and three 5-mm ports were inserted into the right thorax. Via thoracoscopy, the upper esophageal pouch was dissected bluntly, and an esophago-esophagostomy was performed using interrupted 4-0 absorbable sutures and was wrapped by a 360-degree gastric fundoplication. The patient was positioned supine again, and a Heinecke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty and gastropexy were also performed laparoscopically. The patient has mild respiratory distress that requires bronchodilators; however, she is eating baby food well without vomiting. Postoperative intrathoracic gastrofiberscopy showed a well-functioning antireflux valve, and her parents are also satisfied with the cosmetic appearance of the seven small wounds. Our new procedure is feasible and is an excellent option in selected patients with LGEA.