Esophageal Atresia Research Paper
Esophageal Atresia Repair
Esophageal atresia is a problem that children are born with (congenital defect). There is a defect of the esophagus, the tube that carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach. The upper part of the esophagus that ends in a pouch does not connect to the lower part. This means your baby cannot eat or drink. Esophageal atresia repair is a surgical procedure to fix the defect in your baby's esophagus.
Most children with esophageal atresia also have another defect that involves an abnormal passage (fistula) between the breathing tube (trachea) and the esophagus pouch, called tracheoesophageal fistula. Fluids from the pouch may leak through the fistula into your baby's lung and cause breathing problems or a lung …show more content…
infection (pneumonia). Both defects are very dangerous for your baby.
LET YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER KNOW ABOUT:
Previous problems you or members of your family have had with the use of anesthetics.
Any blood disorders you or members of your family have.
Medical conditions you or members of your family have.
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems can occur and include:
Bleeding.
Infection.
Leaking food or liquids from the surgical area.
Low body temperature (hypothermia).
Collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
Scar tissue that blocks swallowing (stenosis).
Heartburn and spitting up (reflux).
Recurrence of the fistula.
BEFORE THE PROCEDURE
Once the diagnosis is made, your baby will be taken to the infant (neonatal) intensive care unit (NICU). This is what may happen before surgery:
An IV tube will be inserted into one of your baby's veins. It may be put in a vein in the chest so the tube can stay in after surgery and be used to give your baby nutrition.
Your baby will get antibiotic medicines through the IV tube.
A tube may be placed into your baby's trachea (endotracheal tube) and attached to a machine that helps your baby breathe (ventilator).
A tube will be placed through your baby's nose or mouth to drain fluids that collect in the esophageal pouch.
PROCEDURE
Your baby will be given a medicine that makes him or her fall asleep (general anesthetic).
The surgeon will make a surgical cut (incision) on the right side of the chest.
An opening into the lung cavity will be made between the ribs.
If there is a tracheoesophageal fistula, it will be closed.
The pouch end of the esophagus will be opened first. Then, the top end of the lower esophagus will be opened.
The two ends of the esophagus will be sewn together.
A stomach tube will be passed into the stomach through the new connection (anastomosis).
The chest tube will be left in place to prevent a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
The incision will be closed.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE
After surgery, your baby will be kept in the NICU for several days.
Your baby will continue to get fluids, pain medicine, antibiotics, and nutrition though the IV tube.
The tube going into your baby's stomach will be suctioned frequently.
Your baby may continue to have the endotracheal tube and the ventilator for breathing support for a few days.
Your baby will be kept in a warm enclosure (incubator) to prevent hypothermia and infection.
After about one week, your baby will have X-rays of the chest and esophagus to make sure:
The anastomosis and fistula are healing well.
There is no pneumothorax.
If the X-rays are normal:
The chest tube can be removed.
Your baby may start feedings with formula or expressed breast milk.
After your baby is eating well, the stomach tube and IV tube can be taken out.
Esophageal atresia is a problem that children are born with (congenital defect).T Esophageal atresia repair is a surgical procedure to fix the defect in your baby's esophagus.T After your baby is eating well, the stomach tube and IV tube can be taken out.T Most children with esophageal atresia do not have any other
defects.
Esophageal atresia is a problem that children are born with (congenital defect). There is a defect of the esophagus, the tube that carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach. The upper part of the esophagus that ends in a pouch does not connect to the lower part. This means your baby cannot eat or drink. Esophageal atresia repair is a surgical procedure to fix the defect in your baby's esophagus.
Most children with esophageal atresia also have another defect that involves an abnormal passage (fistula) between the breathing tube (trachea) and the esophagus pouch, called tracheoesophageal fistula. Fluids from the pouch may leak through the fistula into your baby's lung and cause breathing problems or a lung …show more content…
infection (pneumonia). Both defects are very dangerous for your baby.
LET YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER KNOW ABOUT:
Previous problems you or members of your family have had with the use of anesthetics.
Any blood disorders you or members of your family have.
Medical conditions you or members of your family have.
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems can occur and include:
Bleeding.
Infection.
Leaking food or liquids from the surgical area.
Low body temperature (hypothermia).
Collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
Scar tissue that blocks swallowing (stenosis).
Heartburn and spitting up (reflux).
Recurrence of the fistula.
BEFORE THE PROCEDURE
Once the diagnosis is made, your baby will be taken to the infant (neonatal) intensive care unit (NICU). This is what may happen before surgery:
An IV tube will be inserted into one of your baby's veins. It may be put in a vein in the chest so the tube can stay in after surgery and be used to give your baby nutrition.
Your baby will get antibiotic medicines through the IV tube.
A tube may be placed into your baby's trachea (endotracheal tube) and attached to a machine that helps your baby breathe (ventilator).
A tube will be placed through your baby's nose or mouth to drain fluids that collect in the esophageal pouch.
PROCEDURE
Your baby will be given a medicine that makes him or her fall asleep (general anesthetic).
The surgeon will make a surgical cut (incision) on the right side of the chest.
An opening into the lung cavity will be made between the ribs.
If there is a tracheoesophageal fistula, it will be closed.
The pouch end of the esophagus will be opened first. Then, the top end of the lower esophagus will be opened.
The two ends of the esophagus will be sewn together.
A stomach tube will be passed into the stomach through the new connection (anastomosis).
The chest tube will be left in place to prevent a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
The incision will be closed.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE
After surgery, your baby will be kept in the NICU for several days.
Your baby will continue to get fluids, pain medicine, antibiotics, and nutrition though the IV tube.
The tube going into your baby's stomach will be suctioned frequently.
Your baby may continue to have the endotracheal tube and the ventilator for breathing support for a few days.
Your baby will be kept in a warm enclosure (incubator) to prevent hypothermia and infection.
After about one week, your baby will have X-rays of the chest and esophagus to make sure:
The anastomosis and fistula are healing well.
There is no pneumothorax.
If the X-rays are normal:
The chest tube can be removed.
Your baby may start feedings with formula or expressed breast milk.
After your baby is eating well, the stomach tube and IV tube can be taken out.
Esophageal atresia is a problem that children are born with (congenital defect).T Esophageal atresia repair is a surgical procedure to fix the defect in your baby's esophagus.T After your baby is eating well, the stomach tube and IV tube can be taken out.T Most children with esophageal atresia do not have any other
defects.