Esophageal Atresia (EA) and Tracheoesophageal Fistula (TEF)

Question 1

What is esophageal atresia?

Answer 1

Esophageal atresia is when the esophagus fails to develop as a continuous passage. Rather, the esophagus ends in a blind pouch and because of this, food can not enter the stomach.

Question 2

What is a tracheoesophageal fistula?

Answer 2

A tracheoesophageal fistula is when the trachea and esophagus fail to separate into two distinct structures.

Cardiac anomalies are commonly associated with tracheoesophageal fistulas!

Question 3

s/s of EA and TEF?

Answer 3

-excessive secretions/frothy saliva leading to drooling, choking, coughing
-swallowing formula and then gagging/coughing it back up- risk for aspiration
-cyanosis during feeding
-abdominal distension
-POLYHYDRAMNIOS: accumulation of amniotic fluid prenatally

Question 4

What are some surgical options for EA and TEF?

Answer 4

-thoracotomy (to reach airway for correction)
-gastrostomy (gtube placement)
-possible ligation of TEF for correction of fistula

Question 5

With surgical incisions into the windpipe (trachea), what could occur to the cartilage in that area and what could that lead to?

Answer 5

The cartilage that makes up the trachea can become floppy rather than rigid and strong (known as tracheomalacia), causing breathing difficulties.