COMPLICATIONS OF SURGICAL REPAIR FOR ESOPHAGEAL ATRESIA

*Hanna Kassab and Mohammad Nasser

ABSTRACT

Background: Postoperative complications remain common in esophageal atresia repair surgeries. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of these complications remain a major challenge for pediatric surgeons. Objective: To evaluate early and late complications following surgical repair of esophageal atresia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study included all neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Tishreen University Hospital between 2017 and 2022 who were diagnosed with esophageal atresia and underwent surgical repair. Detailed information was obtained from neonates' records (gestational age, age at diagnosis, weight, sex, presence of associated anomalies, type of esophageal atresia, age at surgical procedure, type of surgical procedure, presence and duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation), as well as information on early (within the first month after surgery) and late (from 1 month to 5 years after surgery) complications and their management. Results: The research sample included 17 neonates, the majority of whom were born at full term (64.7%). The most common type of esophageal atresia was type C (82.4%), followed by type D (11.8%), and type E (5.9%), with associated malformations presenting in (64.7%) of these cases. Surgical repair involved a thoracic access in the majority of cases (94.1%), and most neonates required mechanical ventilation for 1-5 days. Early complications included esophageal stricture (58.8%) and leakage (23.5%). Late complications included gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in (70.6%), recurrent respiratory infections in (64.7%), and dysphagia in (47.1%). Conclusion: Emphasize the importance of pre- and postoperative follow-up of neonates with esophageal atresia by parents, pediatricians, and pediatric surgeons to help detect any complications early and manage them in the most appropriate manner.

Keywords: Complications - Surgical Repair - Esophageal Atresia.