Abstract
Purpose: In patients with trisomy 18, performing radical operation for esophageal atresia with trachea-esophageal fistula (EA + TEF) is controversial. We reviewed our cases and evaluated the surgical outcomes of these patients in terms of the possibility of enteral feeding.
Methods: Thirteen trisomy 18 patients were encountered in this study. All the patients underwent gastrostomy. The patients were divided into four groups according to the additional operation aside from gastrostomy, namely, group 1: esophago-esophagostomy with TEF division as a radical operation (n = 6), group 2: TEF division only (n = 2), group 3: esophageal banding (n = 1), and group 4: no additional operation (n = 4).
Results: All the patients who underwent additional procedures (groups 1, 2, and 3) could start enteral feeding except one patient in group 1 (duration of feeding, 4 to 1,768 days). Only one of four patients could start enteral feeding via gastrostomy for two days in group 4.
Conclusion: To feed trisomy 18 patients with EA + TEF, an additional operation, aside from gastrostomy, is mandatory.
