Transcervical myotomy for wide-gap esophageal atresia

A primary end-to-end anastomosis of the esophagus can be accomplished in the wide-gap esophageal atresia by obtaining extra esophageal length through circular myotomy of the proximal esophageal pouch. However, a very short proximal esophageal pouch may not be accessible through the standard thoracic incision, precluding this procedure. An infant is reported in whom the inaccessible proximal pouch was exteriorized into the neck through a concomitant cervical incision, allowing three circular myotomies to be performed with ease. The proximal esophagus was then reintroduced into the chest cavity and a primary esophagoesophagostomy performed without difficulty.