Background

One of the most frequent complications encountered following neonatal H-type fistula repair is vocal cord paresis secondary to injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve [1]. From an anatomical point of view, it is not uncommon to have additional fistulous tracts or tracheal and laryngeal anomalies associated with tracheo-oesophageal fistulas. Fistulas situated in the chest are usually approached via the thorax, either by using an open thoracotomy or a thoracoscopy, which both carry a significant risk in the neonatal population [1]. Therefore, a preoperative flexible bronchoscopic assessment of the vocal cord function and the anatomy of the trachea is of use and has become a standard practice in our institution. In addition, we describe how the flexible bronchoscope can be used as an adjunct to facilitate repairs via a cervical incision of fistulas situated in the thorax, thus improving the surgical risk profile.

Case presentation

We would like to report the case of a term neonate who presented at 3 days of age with blue spells and choking on milk feeds. An oesophagogram confirmed the suspected diagnosis of an H-type tracheo-oesphageal fistula with intact distal oesophagus. The fistula was located at the level of the third thoracic vertebra. A decision to proceed with surgical repair was made.

After induction of anaesthesia, a size 1.5 laryngeal mask was sited through which the baby was spontaneously breathing and, when required, assisted by the attending anaesthetist. A 2.8-mm Olympus flexible bronchoscope was passed via the laryngeal mask into the subglottic space and subsequently into the trachea. The fistula to the oesophagus and its distance from the carina were identified. There were no additional tracheo-bronchial anomalies. A 0.028-in floppy tip guidewire was passed through the working channel of the bronchoscope into the fistula and the bronchoscope withdrawn whilst stabilising the guidewire with an aim to leave it in situ. The bronchoscope was then repassed adjacent to the guidewire and a 4-French ureteric catheter (open-end flexi tip ureteral catheter, Cook Medical) was then passed over the guidewire to sit in the fistula under direct vision. The guidewire was then removed, the ureteric catheter fixated at the mouth and a size 3-microcuff endotracheal tube passed orally with the tip distal to the trachea-oesophageal fistula to secure the airway. An 8-mm gastroscope was advanced into the oesophagus and the distal ureteric catheter grasped and brought out to the mouth and secured to itself, in effect creating a loop through the fistula secured at the mouth (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

A Fluoroscopy image delineating the trajectory of this H-type fistula. B Bronchoscopy image of the tracheal opening of the fistula with the carina visible in the distance. C Bronchoscopy image of the guidewire being place through the working channel into the fistula. D Bronchoscopy image the ureteric catheter being advanced over guidewire. E Oesophageal endoscopy demonstrating nasogastric tube (white) and ureteric catheter (blue) from the oesophageal end of the fistula. F Ureteric catheter being grabbed with the forceps via the working channel of the gastroscope. G Distal end of ureteric catheter being taken out of the mouth while the anaesthetist is securing the proximal end of the catheter and the endotracheal tube

Full size image

The patient was then positioned and draped for the surgical procedure. Through a right cervical incision, the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the carotid sheath were retracted laterally and the trachea identified. The recurrent laryngeal nerve was identified and preserved as the tracheo-oesophageal groove was followed into the upper mediastinum. Traction on the catheter looped through the fistula aided identification of the fistula and brought it superiorly towards the cervical incision, aiding dissection and isolation of the fistula. Stay sutures were then applied to the trachea and oesophagus superior and inferior to the fistula, the catheter withdrawn and the fistula divided. A size 8-French nasogastric tube was passed. The tracheal and oesophageal defects were then closed with simple interrupted sutures.

The child was returned to the neonatal intensive care unit. The endotracheal tube was removed the following day and enteral feeds commenced. The child was fully orally fed and discharged on postoperative day 3. There were no signs of recurrence at the 3 months of follow-up consultation.

Follow-up in a multidisciplinary team setting consisting of general surgeons, ear, nose and throat surgeons and respiratory physicians is warranted [2].

Cannulation of the trachea-oesophageal fistula has been described in the literature either by using a rigid or a flexible bronchoscope. Different probes have been utilized, as described in Table 1.

Table 1 Other modalities used to cannulate H-type fistula preoperatively
Full size table

In this case, the use of bronchoscopic visualisation and passage of a catheter through the fistula enabled the following:

  • Preoperative assessment of vocal cord function [6].

  • Exclusion of additional fistulous tracts or associated anomalies such as laryngeal cleft tracheomalacia, complete tracheal rings or vascular airway compression.

  • Confirmation of the level of the fistula and ascertaining the optimal surgical approach.

  • Safe identification and isolation of the fistula via a cervical incision.

The authors’ caution against using a rigid tip guidewire as it may lead to inadvertent perforation of the tracheo-bronchial tree and subsequent pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum.

Conclusions

We report no intraprocedural complications of this technique and believe it is successful in reducing surgical risk in the subset of neonates with H-type oesophageal fistulas.