Results of gastric pull-up procedure in neonatal long-gap esophageal atresia: a single center prospective study

Abstract

Introduction: The management of long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) remains challenging and esophageal replacement is inevitable in some patients. The current study aimed at assessing the outcomes of gastric pull-up surgery for esophageal reconstruction in neonates with LGEA, and investigating the postoperative results, complications, and mortality.Materials and Methods: In a prospective study 16 patients with LGEA were studied at Tabriz Children’s Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Gastric pull-up technique was used for esophageal replacement in all the patients. The study duration was 23 months from April 2014 to March 2016.Results: The mean age of the neonates was 7.31 ± 3.91 days. Eleven patients (68.75%) were male and five (31.25%) female. Seven neonates (44%) had esophageal atresia type A and nine patients (56%) had type C. All of them (100%) were in need for postoperative mechanical ventilation. Mean period of postoperative mechanical ventilation was 0.87±5.69 days. Postoperative mortality was observed in three patients (18.75%). Patients were followed up for six months after the operation; poor feeding was observed in four patients (30.77%), mild respiratory distress in three patients (23.08%), and choking and aspiration in three patients (23.08%).Conclusion: It was observed that gastric pull-up technique is a feasible and safe surgical method for neonates with long-gap esophageal atresia when primary anastomosis is not possible. Quality of life, feeding, and growth pattern were also acceptable. However, long-term outcomes were not assessed in the current study.