• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.124-138
• /
• 2022

Gastrointestinal (GI) emergencies in neonates and infants encompass from the beginning to the end of the GI tract. Both congenital and acquired conditions can cause various GI emergencies in neonates and infants. Given the overlapping or nonspecific clinical findings of many different neonatal and infantile GI emergencies and the unique characteristics of this age group, appropriate imaging is key to accurate and timely diagnosis while avoiding unnecessary radiation hazard and medical costs. In this paper, we discuss the radiological findings of essential neonatal and infantile GI emergencies, including esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, duodenal atresia, malrotation, midgut volvulus for upper GI emergencies, and jejunoileal atresia, meconium ileus, meconium plug syndrome, meconium peritonitis, Hirschsprung disease, anorectal malformation, necrotizing enterocolitis, and intussusception for lower GI emergencies.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.81-87
• /
• 2011

This study was aimed to evaluate associated congenital anomalies in the patients with esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF). Forty-two neonates with the diagnosis of EA/TEF treated over a 10 year period in a single institution were included in this study. The demography of EA/TEF was analyzed. Major associated anomalies including vertebral, anal, cardiac, renal, limb, neurologic and chromosome were reviewed and categorized. Males were slightly more dominant than females (1.47:1) and all patients had Gross type C EA/TEF. Only 19 % of the patients had solitary EA/TEF without associated anomalies. Cardiac anomalies were the most common associated congenital anomaly in patients with EA/TEF (73.8 %). But 47.6 % were cured spontaneously or did not affect patients' life. Atrial septal defect (ASD) was the most common cardiac anomaly followed by patent ductus arterious (PDA) and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Among gastrointestinal anomalies (23.8 %), anorectal malformations were the most frequent, 70 % Vertebral and limb abnormalities accounted for 11.9 % and urogenital malformations 9.5 % of the anomalies in patients with EA/TEF. VACTERL associated anomalies were 23.8 % and 1.8% had full VACTERL. Almost 12 % of EA/TEF had neurologic anomalies. Patients with EA/TEF require preoperative evaluation including neurologic evaluation to detect anomalies not related to VACTERL. Though associated cardiac anomaly occurred in 73.8 % of patients in our study, only 21.42 % needed surgical correction. The authors suggesrs further studies with large numbers of patients with EA/TEF.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.117-124
• /
• 2008

Children who underwent reparative operations for esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), are confronted with many gastrointestinal or respiratory problems, especially during the early years of life. We reviewed the medical records of 50 patients who underwent repairs of EA with or without TEF at the Division of Pediatric Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, from December 1994 to December 2005. Current status of children was accessed by telephone-interview, but only 27 of them were accessible. Of 50 patients, 3 patients (6 %) were type A, 45 patients (90 %) were type C, and 2 patients (4 %) were type E. The mean interval between primary operation and interview was 5.5 years. The incidences of growth retardation (<10 percentile of height/weight) were 39 % and 21 % during the first 5 years after repairs, respectively. The incidences of dysphagia or gastroesophageal reflux and recurrent respiratory infections were 33 % and 39 %, respectively. However, these problems were likely to improve as the children grew. The incidences of growth retardations (<10 percentile of height/weight) were 11 % and 11 % for the children more than five years postoperative. The incidences of dysphagia or gastroesophageal reflux and recurrent respiratory infections were 22 % and 22 %, respectively. Children with EA with or without TEF are faced with many obstacles. Close observation and adequate treatment for delayed postoperative complications are necessary to improve the quality of life for these children.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.453-460
• /
• 2022

Purpose: Esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a congenital anomaly that can cause frequent digestive and nutritional problems, even after repair. The most common complication is anastomotic stricture, for which reoperation or balloon dilatation is performed. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative complications of EA and the role of endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) in cases of anastomotic stricture. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients diagnosed with EA with or without TEF between January 2000 and February 2021. Patients' baseline characteristics, associated anomalies, and postoperative complications were reviewed. Results: Among 26 patients, 14 (53.8%) were male, 12 (46.2%) had coexisting anomalies, and the median follow-up was 6.1 years (range, 1.2-15.7 years). In univariate analysis, prematurity, low birth weight, and long-gap EA were associated with postoperative complications in 12 (46.2%) patients. Among the 10 (38.5%) patients with anastomotic stricture, nine (90.0%) required EBD. Regarding the first EBD, it was performed at a median of 3.3 months (range, 1.2-7.6 months) post-repair, while the average patient weight was 4.6 kg. The mean diameter ranged from 3.3 to 9.1 mm without major complications. In univariate analysis, long-gap EA alone was significantly associated with EBD. Conclusion: Approximately half of the patients experienced complications after EA repair. In particular, patients with a long-gap EA had a significantly increased risk of complications, such as anastomotic strictures. EBD can be safely used, even in infants.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.880-883
• /
• 1989

Congenital esophagobronchial fistula without esophageal atresia is rare, usually has an insidious clinical course, so it usually diagnosed in adulthood. A esophagogram showed a esophagobronchial fistula between diverticulum at the middle third of the esophagus and just proximal site of apical segmental bronchus of left lower lobar bronchus. It belonged to type I of Braimbridges classification for congenital esophago-bronchial fistula. Esophageal diverticulectomy, fistulectomy and left lower lobectomy were done and postoperative course was uneventful.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.149-161
• /
• 1995

The first national survey on esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula was conducted to access the current status of its incidence, clinical manifestation, preoperative diagnosis and management, type of its anomaly, associated anomalies, and surgical results and course. The 43 members of the Korea Association of Pediatric Surgeons received questionnaires and registration forms to be filled out on each patient who were born during the three years from January 1, 1992 through December 31, 1994. Questionnaires composed of six broad areas which include 1) preoperative diagnosis and management, 2) surgical technic, 3) long gap, 4) postoperative management, and 5) complications and courses. A total of 148 cases was returned by 28 members working at 23 institutions and 27 members returned questionnaires. We obtained the following results by analysis of the 148 cases of tracheoesophageal anomalies. The incidence of tracheoesophageal anomaly was about 1/10,000-11,000 in 1994, which is one third of that of anorectal malformations in Korea and the distribution of the patients was almost proportionate to the size of each province. Both sexes are about equally affected. Majority of the members make diagnosis of tracheoesophageal anomaly by taking a simple infantogram with a radiopaque tube in upper pouch and a little under half(46%) prefers to perform echocardiography as a part of preoperative management to identify congenital heart disease and lateralize the aorta. Esophageal atresia with distal TEF(87.5%) was by far the most common and there were pure esophageal atresia(5.6%), H-type TEF(2.1%), and so on. About half(49%) of the patients had one or more associated anomalies in addition to tracheoesophageal anomalies. Congenital heart disease was associated in 46 cases(31%), anorectral malfomations in 19 cases(13%), musculoskeletal anomalies in 15 cases(10%), genitourinary anomalies in 10 cases(7%) and gastrointestinal anomalies in 7 cases(5%). Postoperatively, parenteral nutrition and assisted ventilation were given in 66% and 52% of patients respectively. Ninety three(74%) of 126 cases who underwent sugical procedure, experienced one or more complications such as respiratory complication(65%), leak(22%), stricture(21%) and so on. The survival rates related to the Waterston risk categories were 90.2% in group A, 71.4-75% in $B_1$, $B_2$, and $C_1$, groups, and 28% in group $C_2$, and the overall survival rate was 71.4%. Thirty six(28.6%) of 126 cases died of pneumonia/sepsis(12 cases), respiratory failure(12 cases), and congenital heart disease(4 cases). With short term follow-up, 69% of patients have been excellent whereas remainders of the cases have suffered from some sort of morbidity related to gastroesophageal reflux, recurrent respiratory infection, and esophageal stricture.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.154-161
• /
• 2011

Tracheoesophageal fistula without esophageal atresia (H-type TEF) is a congenital anomaly that is characterized by a fistula between the posterior wall of the trachea and the anterior wall of the esophagus, not accompanied by esophageal atresia. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnostic time, the side of cervical approach and short term result after surgery by searching medical records of patients treated for H-type TEF. The search was done at University of Ulsan, Department of Pediatric Surgery of Asan Medical Center, and the total number of patients from May 1989 to December 2010 was 9 with M:F ratio of 1:2. The median gestational age was $39^{+6}$ ($32^{+6}{\sim}41^{+0}$) wks. Seven out of nine patients were born at term and the other two were born premature. The clinical presentation was aspiration pneumonia, difficulty in feeding, chronic cough, vomiting, abdominal distension and growth retardation. The symptoms presented right after birth. The diagnosis was made with esophagography and the median time of diagnosis was 52 days of life. The majority of surgical corrections were performed within two weeks of diagnosis (median; 15d, range; 1d - 6m). Six patients had associated anomalies, and cardiac anomalies were most common. The cervical approach was utilized in all cases (right 2, left 7). Transient vocal cord palsy and minor esophageal leakage complicated two cases. Although the diagnosis of H-type TEF was difficult and often delayed, we had a good short term result. The left cervical approach was preferred.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.705-710
• /
• 2010

Purpose: To determine the clinical manifestations and outcomes of patients with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and esophageal atresia (EA) born at a single neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted for 97 patients with confirmed TEF and EA who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between 1990 and 2007. Results: The rate of prenatal diagnosis was 12%. The average gestational age and birth weight were $37^{+2}$ weeks and $2.5{\pm}0.7kg$, respectively. Thirty-one infants were born prematurely (32%). Type C was the most common. The mean gap between the proximal and distal esophagus was 2 cm. Esophago-esophagostomy was performed in 72 patients at a mean age of 4 days after birth; gastrostomy or duodenostomy were performed in 8 patients. Forty patients exhibited vertebral, anorectal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, limb (VACTERL) association with at least 2 combined anomalies, and cardiac anomaly was the most common. The most common post-operative complications were esophageal stricture followed by gastroesophageal reflux. Balloon dilatation was performed for 1.3 times in 26 patients at a mean age of 3 months. The mortality and morbidity rates were 24% and 67%, respectively, and the most common cause of death was sepsis. The weight of approximately 40% patients was below the 10th percentile at 2 years of age. Conclusion: Mortality and morbidity rates of patients with TEF and EA are high as compared to those of infants with other neonatal surgical diseases. Further efforts must be taken to reduce mortality and morbidity and improve growth retardation.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.46-53
• /
• 2001

To understand the current status of neonatal surgery in Korea, a survey was made among the 36 members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons. The response rate was 75 % (26 surgeons in 20 hospitals). Five hundred fifty three neonatal surgical patients treated in 1999 were analyzed. Regional numbers of patients were closely related to the regional population in most areas. Ano-rectal malformations (17 %), pyloric stenosis (16 %), Hirschsprung's disease (13 %), atresia/stenosis of the gut (11 %), esophageal atresia (8 %) were the most common anomalies treated. The majority of operations were done within the first week of life. Seventy one per cent of cases were major life threatening or so-called neonatal index cases. Over-all mortality was 8 per cent. Higher mortality was observed in patients with diaphragmatic hernia (26 %), gastro-intestinal perforation (18 %), NEC (18 %), and esophageal atresia(14 %). Higher mortality was observed in patients with extremely low birth weight (33%) and low birth weight (18 %). Associated anomalies were observed in 20 %. Prenatal ultrasound was performed in 36 per cent with sensitivity of 20 %. Result of this study was compared to the previous report (1994) and that of Japan (1998).

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.26-32
• /
• 1996

To understand the current status of neonatal surgery in Korea, a survey was made among the 27 members of Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons. Response rate among surgeons was 78 percent, eighteen hospitals participated in this study. Five hundred and three cases of neonatal surgical patients were analyzed. In Korea, about 50% of cases were treated at the hospital in the capital city area. Regional number of patients were closely related to the regional population. Imperforate anus(19%), atresia/stenosis of gut(12%), and Hirschsprung's diseases(12%) were sitting at the top in the list. Majority of operation was done within the first week of life, especially during the first 24 hour period. Eighty per cent was major or so called index cases. Mortality in so-called index cases was 17%. High mortality was observed in patients with diaphragmatic hernia(47%), gastrointestinal perforation(65%) and esophageal atresia(28%). Low birth weight babies showed higher mortality in gastrointestinal perforation, esophageal atresia and abdominal wall defect. These were compared to 1993 survey of Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons.