Castilloux et al reported risk factors for short and long-term morbidity following surgical correction of esophageal atresia in an infant. About half of the patients undergoing surgery develop one or more complications, some of which may be life-threatening. The authors are from Universite de Montreal in Quebec.
Patient selection: infant who has undergone surgery to correct esophageal atresia with or without trachesophageal fistula
Risk factors for complications during the first year of life:
(1) birthweight < 2,500 grams
(2) twin
(3) long gap esophageal atresia
(4) type A malformation (isolated atresia)
(5) VACTERL
(6) 2-step surgery
(7) anastomatic leak
(8) need for tracheal intubation prior to surgery
(9) need for tracheal intubation for > 5 days after surgery
(10) inability to be fed orally by the end of the first month after surgery (need for gavage feeding)
(11) hospital stay >= 30 days
Risk factors for complications after 1 year of age:
(1) long gap esophageal atresia
(2) 2-step surgery
(3) inability to be fed orally by the end of the first month after surgery (need for gavage feeding)
(4) hospital stay >= 30 days
