Thoracoscopic Repair of H-Type Tracheoesophageal Fistula in an Infant

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Congenital H-type tracheoesophageal fistula (H-TEF) is a rare anomaly. It is often located in the low cervical or high thoracic region and rarely in the low thoracic region. We present the thoracoscopic repair of a 2-month-old boy with H-TEF of the tracheal bifurcation (run time of video 5 minutes). Methods: A 2-month-old boy weighing 3800 g was referred to the pediatric surgery because of suspicion of the TEF. He was born weighing 2870 g at 39 weeks' gestation, and transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit due to abdominal distension and vomiting on day 3. X-ray imaging revealed gaseous distention of the stomach and TEF was suspected. The esophagogram revealed a H-type fistula, and flexible bronchoscope under general anesthesia showed the fistula just above the carina. He had no other congenital anomalies. He was treated using a thoracoscopic approach. Under general anesthesia, a 4F Fogarty catheter was inserted via a nostril into the trachea, and then tracheal intubation was...