Observations on the role of esophagogastrostomy in infancy and childhood with particular reference to the long-term results and operative mortality

Abstract

Esophagogastrostomy is a satisfactory method of restoring continuity of the esophagus with minimal long-term effects on growth and development. Anemia or reflux oesophagitis is not a complication of the operation provided the anastomosis is high in the thoracic cage, i.e., above the level of the aortic arch. Postural gastritis secondary to regurgitation of bile was not seen in our patients. The mortality of the operation is high (33%) but this is due to the small number of patients in whom it is indicated. This contrasts markedly with the results in adults where the mortality in large series has fallen to low levels (13%). Thus, esophagogastrostomy should retain a place in selected patients for the primary treatment of esophageal atresia and the high esophageal stricture.