End-to-end anastomosis in oesophageal atresia--clinical application of experimental experiences

During the 70's, several investigations were made concerning the healing of oesophageal anastomoses under experimental conditions. The experiences were successively applied to the treatment of oesophageal atresia. Between 1969 and 1982, a total of 49 patients were operated upon with primary end-to-end anastomoses. The material was divided in an earlier and a later series. The result of the later series was better with respect to anastomotic leakage, strictures and mortality. This might be the effect of the modified treatment according to the clinical application of the experimental experiences reviewed in this paper.