Successful management of oesophageal atresia type IIIa by oesophageal stretching: a case report.

A case of oesophageal atresia type IIIa and anorectal agenesis is presented, in which stretching of the oesophagus resulted in successful delayed oesophageal anastomosis, thereby avoiding the need for colonic oesophageal replacement and thus greatly facilitating the repair of the anorectal agenesis. The literature is reviewed and it is concluded that every attempt should be made to effect oesophageal anastomosis, because the colon interposition procedure carries not only a high early mortality but also a high late complication rate.