Comparative analysis of different surgical methods for treating esophageal atresia

Abstract

Objective To investigate the difference in the clinical efficacy by thoracoscopy or thoracotomy for treating esophageal atresia. Methods Thirty-one cases of type-Ⅲ esophageal atresia undergoing surgical treatment from February 2015 to May 2018 at the Department of Pediatric Surgery of Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children′s Hospital were included, and according to the different surgical methods they were divided into thoracoscopic group (15 cases) and thoracotomy group (16 cases). The operation duration, blood loss, postoperative chest drainage time, posto-perative hospital stay and postoperative complications were analyzed between 2 groups. Results The mean time of operation was (181.33±13.86) min in the thoracoscopic surgery group and (139.06±10.98) min in the thoracotomy group, the thoracoscopic group had longer operation duration than thoracotomy group, and there was a significant difference in operation duration between two groups (t=9.44, P=0.000); mean blood loss was (3.07±0.96) mL in the thoracoscopic surgery group and (5.06±1.12) mL in the thoracotomy group, the thoracoscopic group had less amount of blood loss than thoracotomy group, and there was a significant difference in blood loss between two groups(t=-5.29, P=0.000); mean postoperative chest drainage time was(11.67±1.34) d in the thoracoscopic group and (12.25±1.06) d in the thoracotomy group, and there was no significant difference in postoperative chest drainage time between two groups(t=-1.34, P=0.19); mean time of postoperative hospitalization time was(15.20±0.94) d in the thoracoscopic group and (16.00±0.96) d in the thoracotomy group, and there was a significant difference in the postoperative hospitalization time between two groups (t=-2.33, P=0.027); the anastomotic leak rates were 33.33% (5 cases) versus 25.00% (4 cases) with closed or open approaches, respectively; anastomotic stricture rates were 40.00%(6 cases) versus 31.25% (5 cases) with closed or open approaches, respectively.There was no significant difference in postoperative incidence of anastomotic fistula and anastomotic stenosis between two groups. Conclusions Compared with thoracotomy in the treatment of esophageal atresia, thoracoscopic approach has smaller incision and less bleeding, less chest deformity, short hospital stay postoperatively, so it is safe and effective.However, the surgeon must have experience in doing thoracoscopic operation. Key words: Thoracoscopic surgery; Thoracotomy; Esophageal atresia