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Surveillance in Patients With Esophageal Atresia/Tracheoesophageal Fistula

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology (S Orenstein, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) is a congenital aerodigestive anomaly with high survival rates after surgical repair. Care should now be focused on prevention of long-term complications using appropriate surveillance techniques.

Recent Findings

The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is high in patients with EA/TEF. Consequences of untreated GERD include esophagitis, strictures, and Barrett esophagus. Subjective symptoms are an unreliable indicator of presence or severity of GERD, and therefore, diagnostic testing is needed to assess esophageal heath and monitor the effectiveness of anti-reflux treatment. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy remains the primary surveillance tool, but is invasive and not without risks. Less-invasive modalities such as multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring to assess GERD appear to correlate strongly with esophageal histology and may provide sufficient information to guide treatment.

Summary

EA/TEF patients face numerous challenges that need to be considered. Routine surveillance protocols and close monitoring are warranted to assess complications. Further research is needed to delineate the frequency of esophagogastroduodenoscopy versus less-invasive and promising modalities such as multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA

    Arunjot Singh & Julie Khlevner

  2. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA

    William Middlesworth

Authors
  1. Arunjot Singh
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  2. William Middlesworth
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  3. Julie Khlevner
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Correspondence to Julie Khlevner.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pediatric Gastroenterology

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Singh, A., Middlesworth, W. & Khlevner, J. Surveillance in Patients With Esophageal Atresia/Tracheoesophageal Fistula. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 19, 4 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-017-0541-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-017-0541-5

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