[Tubulized gastric fundus in the treatment of esophageal atresia]

When is impossible to restore the oesophageal continuity in oesophageal atresia (EA), the stomach elevation (whether tubulized or complete) and colon interposition are the most accomplished techniques, usually from the age of six month, in different steps and with the result of a high mortality, prolonged hospitalizations and high familial and economical cost. From a total of 34 EA diagnosed in an eleven years period, we had treated three children, tubulizing the gastric fundus with mechanical sutures in continuity with the distal oesophageal end in neonatal period. The procedure is done with preservation of the distal esophageal end in continuity with the tubuliced gastric fundus with mecanichal staplers. All the patients had needed pneumatic dilatations of the anastomosis After eleven years, eight years and six months follow-up respectively, the clinical behaviour of those patients is suitable, without swallowing problems and with weight and height development in predictable limits. We think that this kind of neoesophagus is useful to treat the long segment EA in newborns as it sets an esophago-gastric tube orthotopically, with homogeneous diameter in a isoperistaltic continuity, in neonatal period and in one step, putting aside the gastrostomy performed at the firsts hours of life and obtaining an important decreasing of mobility and hospitalisation stay.