ABSTRACT

Esophageal atresia is the most common congenital malformation of the esophagus. It can be diagnosed in the prenatal period, during the delivery or at the neonatal intensive care unit. With the operation, the respiratory system and digestive tract are being corrected to the anatomic position. In this case, we wanted to emphasize that patients with esophageal atresia may continue to have functional problems even after successful surgical treatment.

After preterm delivery, a female patient was consulted to Trakya University Department of Pediatric Surgery, at one day of age with the symptom of regurgitation of saliva. There were no abnormalities on physical examination. Due to the inability to pass an orogastric tube to the stomach, esophageal atresia was suspected. Thus, radiocontrast x-ray study was performed: the proximal esophageal pouch was identified, and malformation was diagnosed. After the diagnosis, tracheoesophageal fistula has been ligated. The patient received physical therapy after the operation, and she was followed-up for 10 months. A full recovery was observed, and the patient was able to swallow food.

Esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula is not an uncommon malformation. The patients can have problems with swallowing in their infancy even they are treated surgically in the neonatal period.

Keywords: Esophageal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula, newborn