Thoracotomy in a spontaneously breathing neonate undergoing tracheo-oesophageal fistula repair

Abstract

Tracheo-oesophageal fistulae present a unique ventilator problem in the neonatal population. We describe the use of a caudal epidural catheter in a neonate who had to undergo carinal tracheo-oesophageal fistula repair. The epidural administration of a local anaesthetic enabled the provision of optimal analgesia, while simultaneously allowing maintenance of comfortable spontaneous ventilation during the thoracotomy.