Tracheoesophageal fistula: open versus endoscopic repair

The management of primary or recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) remains an important challenge for airway surgeons.

The accuracy of prenatal detection can be significantly improved in specialized centers. Routine preoperative and postoperative airway endoscopy is recommended to detect a proximal fistula and evaluate vocal cord motility. Minimally invasive thoracoscopic approaches have equal success and improved cosmesis and visualization as compared with thoracostomy. Novel open approaches for complex TEF include a transcervical, transtracheal approach, and slide tracheoplasty.Endoscopic closure of TEF carries less morbidity. Options include de-epithelialization of the tract, interposed material, and combinations. The mean operative time is 30 min; however multiple treatments are required (average 2.1). Use of continuous positive airway pressure in the immediate postoperative period was not associated with increased leak or recurrence. Children post-TEF repair continue to have frequent gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms.

Prenatal diagnosis is beneficial both for prenatal counseling and for planning care. The ideal endoscopic approach is undecided but remains an interesting alternative to open surgery provided failures are anticipated and prompt repeated treatments initiated to preclude ongoing respiratory complications. Transtracheal approaches and slide tracheoplasty are well tolerated and effective in complex/recurrent cases. Long-term follow-up of patients with TEF is important.