Esophageal Stricture Post Congenital Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair

Zaid, Zaid A.

doi:10.52573/ipmj.2026.166854

	Esophageal Stricture Post Congenital Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair
Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal
Volume 25, Issue 3, July 2026, Pages 300-304 PDF (816.48 K)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.52573/ipmj.2026.166854
Author
Zaid A. Zaid^*
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon
Abstract
Background: It’s a narrowing of > 50% of the esophagus lumen or as a narrowing detected on a contrast study , or at esophagostomy in combination with symptoms Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a relatively rare congenital anomaly occurring in one in 2500-3000 live births (3) Moreover, the life expectancy of the patients without proper treatment may be measured in weeks Aim of study: evaluation of the demographics, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes of pediatric patients undergoing surgery for Tracheoesophageal Fistula (TEF) repair. Methods: The study was conducted at Pediatric Teaching Hospital/Medical City from December, 2022, to November , 2023. A total of 35 cases post TEF repair were included, and data were collected through patient history, examination, and various investigations. Ethical approval was obtained, and verbal consent was obtained from patients' relatives. Results: The majority of cases (72%) were infants aged 0 to 3 months, with a slight male predominance (56%). Most patients had a birth weight between 2500-4000 grams (80%) and were born at term (84%). Associated anomalies were present in nearly a third of the cases (28%). The most common TEF type observed was Type C (84%). Surgeries were predominantly performed through open right thoracotomy. The average duration of NICU stay was 7.72 days, with hospital stays ranging from 10 to 40 days. . Balloon dilations were performed at irregular intervals, primarily at one-month intervals. Persistent moderate stenosis was noted in 84% of cases during subsequent studies, with severe stenosis identified in 16%. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive examination of pediatric patients undergoing TEF repair, highlighting the demographics, surgical details, and challenges faced in postoperative care. Understanding the complexities associated with esophageal strictures post TEF repair is crucial for developing effective management strategies for these vulnerable patients.
Keywords
Esophageal stricture; Congenital TEF; stenosis

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