The Outcome of Colonic Replacement of the Esophagus in Children

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A variety of methods have been devised in order to achieve a primary esophago-esophageal anastomosis in infants born with esophageal atresia. These include delayed primary anastomosis with (Howard and Myers 1965; Rehbein and Schweder 1971; Hendren and Hale 1975) or without (Cudmore 1978; Myers and Aberdeen 1979) the use of repeated bougienage to promote lengthening of the esophageal segments and the Livaditis (1973) esophageal myotomy. Nevertheless, there is a small group of patients in whom primary anastomosis cannot be achieved or in whom the esophagus has to be abandoned because of failure of the anastomotic technique. It is in this group of patients that replacement of the esophagus is required to restore continuity of the alimentary tract. In addition, esophageal replacement is occasionally necessary in children with intractable strictures secondary to gastroesophageal reflux or caustic esophageal injury.