[Esophageal Atresia Repair - Can We Influence the Schedule?]

The treatment of newborns with esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is associated with a great logistic effort. The aim of the presented study was to analyse the possibility to influence the time of surgery.

Data from 30 neonates with EA and TEF regarding the date and mode of birth, biometric data and preoperative acid-base and blood gas values were collected retrospectively. The newborns were divided into two subgroups: birth between Monday and Thursday ("week"), and birth from Friday to Sunday ("weekend").

We observed a seasonal peak of births in November/December. The rate of prenatal ultrasound detection of polyhydramnions was 40%. In 14 of 16 cases with Caesarean section, maternal or foetal problems predicted the date and mode of delivery. In both groups, most newborns had an unimpaired postnatal adaptation. There were no significant differences regarding biometry. Delivery at the weekend was associated with later surgical repair (second vs. first day of life). Repeated estimations of acid-base and blood gas parameters over a median time span of 13 hours revealed a stable situation with a trend to normalisation.

The time of birth is multifactorial and, in most cases, can neither be predicted nor influenced. Stable respiratory and metabolic parameters in the majority of patients allow a surgical intervention within a limited time frame during the first days of life.

As it is hardly possible to plan the surgical procedure, an experienced team as well as neonatal intensive care facilities and operation room access must be available throughout the week.