Esophageal elongation using Foley catheter in long-gap esophageal atresia

Maher Alzaiem

doi:10.47338/jns.v9.555

Authors

Maher Alzaiem Department of Pediatric Surgery, Maternity and Children Hospital, Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47338/jns.v9.555

Keywords:

Esophageal atresia, Tracheoesophageal fistula, Long-gap esophageal atresia, Esophageal elongation, Esophagus

Abstract

Esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) is a rare congenital anomaly that poses major surgical challenges, particularly when the distance between the two esophageal ends exceeds 3 cm. Many surgical techniques are advocated for bridging the gap between the two esophageal ends. In this paper, we propose a simple and effective technique to elongate the esophagus in the long gap EA. This technique has successfully been applied in two infants with type C EA/TEF, where a primary end to end esophageal anastomosis was not feasible. The technique uses two Foley catheters for traction of upper and lower esophageal ends in long-gap EA/TEF. This method helps preserve the native esophagus, providing comfortable suction of the upper esophageal pouch, and assuring postoperative continuous feeding through the lower esophageal segment.

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