Rico Rinkel1, Daan Van Poll2, Renate Sibarani-Ponsen1, Christien Sleeboom2, Roel Bakx3. 1. VU Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands. 2. Pediatric Surgical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 3. Pediatric Surgical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands r.bakx@amc.uva.nl.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE: During repair of esophageal atresia with distal tracheo-esophageal fistula, air leakage through the fistula during mechanical ventilation can cause respiratory demise. METHODS: From February 2012 until November 2014, all patients with esophageal atresia and distal tracheo-esophageal fistula were subjected to preoperative tracheobronchoscopy. Relatively distal fistulas were cannulated with a Fogarty catheter and blocked by insufflation (video illustration). Relatively proximal distal fistulas were sealed by precise placement of a cuffed ventilation tube. RESULTS: Nine of 12 patients received Fogarty balloon placement. The fistula of the remaining 3 patients were sealed by careful tube placement. No complications related to tracheobronchoscopy or Fogarty placement were noted. All procedures were uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative tracheobronchoscopy to evaluate the usefulness of Fogarty balloon insertion or correct tube placement for distal tracheo-esophageal fistula is a safe and easy to perform procedure that can avoid complications in type C esophageal atresia repair.
BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE: During repair of esophageal atresia with distal tracheo-esophageal fistula, air leakage through the fistula during mechanical ventilation can cause respiratory demise. METHODS: From February 2012 until November 2014, all patients with esophageal atresia and distal tracheo-esophageal fistula were subjected to preoperative tracheobronchoscopy. Relatively distal fistulas were cannulated with a Fogarty catheter and blocked by insufflation (video illustration). Relatively proximal distal fistulas were sealed by precise placement of a cuffed ventilation tube. RESULTS: Nine of 12 patients received Fogarty balloon placement. The fistula of the remaining 3 patients were sealed by careful tube placement. No complications related to tracheobronchoscopy or Fogarty placement were noted. All procedures were uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative tracheobronchoscopy to evaluate the usefulness of Fogarty balloon insertion or correct tube placement for distal tracheo-esophageal fistula is a safe and easy to perform procedure that can avoid complications in type C esophageal atresia repair.