Esophageal atresia: a new anatomic variant with gasless abdomen.

Until this study, 20 pathological-anatomic variants of esophageal atresia with a blind upper pouch and a distal tracheoesophageal fistula (type IIIb according to Vogt) had been described. The authors observed another variant, with the following characteristics: (1) an abnormally long lower segment that entered the trachea in the region of the upper thoracic aperture, (2) a long atretic proximal portion of the lower segment, and (3) an additional membrane in the lower segment. After resection of the atretic part of the lower segment and excision of the membrane, a primary anastomosis could be performed. This variant of type IIIb is characterized by a gasless abdomen.