Abstract

Among children, esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is one of the major and common congenital anomalies. Present study was aimed to study postoperative complications and long-term outcomes of tracheoesophageal fistula repair at a tertiary hospital. Material and Methods: Present study was retrospective, case record study, conducted neonates who underwent surgery for tracheoesophageal fistula at our institute. Results: In present study, during study period 172 neonates underwent tracheoesophageal fistula repair surgery. Majority were ≥ 37 weeks (73.26 %), male (69.19 %) & had birthweight 2.51 – 3 kgs (42.44 %). Post-operative complications noted were anastomotic leak (10.47 %), stricture (11.63 %) & re-exploration (5.23 %). Mortality was noted among 19 neonates (11.05 %) commonly due to postoperative sepsis & pneumonitis. Common factors associated with postoperative mortality were Pre-operative shock (72.09 %), respiratory distress (66.86 %), surgery after 48 hours of life (66.86 %), preoperative hypothermia (61.05 %), preterm neonates (44.19 %), birth weight < 2500 g (38.95 %), associated anomalies (33.14 %), >3 cm gap between esophageal ends (38.95 %), postoperative sepsis (25 %) & postoperative pneumonitis (30.23 %). Conclusion: Although there has been a marked improvement in the antenatal diagnosis of tracheoesophageal fistula, still high mortality is mainly due to diagnosis 24 hours after birth, low birth-weight & associated major anomalies.

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