Delayed primary anastomosis following spontaneous growth of esophageal segments in esophageal atresia.

Between 1977 and 1979, five consecutive cases of esophageal atresia had delayed primary esophageal anastomosis at ages ranging from 5 1/2 to 18 wk. Serial growth studies of the two esophageal segments were performed under fluoroscopic screening. It was observed that spontaneous growth of esophageal segments occurs in the absence of any stretching or bougienage of the esophageal ends.