Postoperative Food Impaction Effectively Relieved by Antireflux Surgery in a Patient With Esophageal Atresia and Congenital Esophageal Stenosis: A Case Report

Abstract

We report a patient who underwent repairs of esophageal atresia and congenital esophageal stenosis, and who had experienced food impactions of the esophagus frequently thereafter. The examinations revealed stenosis of the lower esophagus, and the presence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and reflux esophagitis were indicated. As balloon dilatation of the esophagus showed the food impactions were mainly due to reflux esophagitis, antireflux surgery was performed. After surgery, the patient experienced no food impaction and his QOL has since remarkably improved. As the patient had to move several times due to familial and other reasons, several years had passed before, he underwent antireflux surgery. Because GER frequently develops after repairs of esophageal atresia or congenital esophageal stenosis, close observation and long-term follow-up are necessary and antireflux surgery should be considered when swallowing problems or dysphagia are present.