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The trachea and esophagus run next to each other through the chest cavity. The esophagus connects to the stomach, and carries food and saliva to the stomach. The trachea connects to the lungs and carries air to the lungs.
IndicationsA tracheoesophageal fistula is a congenital anomaly in which there is a connection between the trachea and the esophagus. This is a life-threatening problem requiring immediate intervention. Saliva and gastric secretions may be aspirated into the lungs through the abnormal opening in the trachea. Normal swallowing and digestion of food cannot occur with the abnormal esophagus.
Procedure, part 1Although the surgical procedure varies depending on the location and type of fistula, in general, an incision is made in the right chest. The section of esophagus that contains the fistula is resected.
Procedure, part 2The ends of the esophagus are sutured back together. In many cases, infants are very ill, and therefore require a staged procedure. This involves placing a tube in the stomach (gastrostomy tube), in order to decompress the stomach and prevent fluid in the stomach from flowing up the esophagus, through the fistula and into the lungs. The infant is then cared for in an intensive care unit until he or she is well enough to undergo resection of the fistula and a definitive repair of the esophagus.
AftercareThe baby will be cared for pre-operatively and post-operatively in a neonatal intensive care unit. He/she will be placed in an isolette (incubator) to keep warm. He/she may require oxygen and/or mechanical ventilation. A chest tube may be in place to drain fluids. Intravenous fluids and pain medications will be given. Feedings will be started as soon as possible, depending on the extent of the repair. Length of the hospitalization varies, depending on the seriousness of the surgery and the baby's condition.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 08/11/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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How is a baby with a tracheoesophageal fistula prepared for surgery?
While awaiting surgery, the infant's condition is stabilized. Preoperative care concentrates on avoiding aspiration pneumonia and includes:
What causes a tracheoesophageal fistula?
It's a birth defect in which there is an abnormal connection between the esophagus and the trachea. There may be an extra connection between the esophagus and the trachea or the esophagus may be a blind tube.
What is an abnormal hole in the side of a hollow organ?
Fistula or Ectopic
How is an arteriovenous fistula diagnosed?
Using a stethoscope, a physician can detect the sound of a pulse in the affected vein (bruit). The sound is a distinctive to-and-fro sound. Dye into the blood can be tracked by x ray to confirm the presence of a fistula.
What is an abnormal passage from an internal organ to the body surface or between two internal organs is called?
An abnormal passage from an internal organ to the body surface or between two internal organs is called a fistula.
How can a tracheoesophageal fistula be prevented?
Tracheoesophageal fistulas are not preventable birth defects.
What causes tracheoesophageal fistula?
A fistula is an abnormal connection or passageway between two epithelium-lined organs or vessels that normally do not connect. If it happens between trachea and esophagus then it will be known as tracheoesophageal fistula.
What is the second most common type of tracheoesophageal fistula?
In a rare type of fistula called an H type, both the esophagus and trachea are complete, but they are connected. This is the most difficult type of tracheoesophageal fistula to diagnose, because both eating and breathing are possible.
What are structural abnormalities of the esophagus?
The two most common congenital esophageal abnormalities are esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF).
What developmental abnormality do you suspect when the baby turns blue whenever she is fed and chokes during each feeding?
What comes to mind is a tracheoesophageal fistula or TEF.
How is a baby with a tracheoesophageal fistula prepared for surgery?
While awaiting surgery, the infant's condition is stabilized. Preoperative care concentrates on avoiding aspiration pneumonia and includes:
What causes a tracheoesophageal fistula?
It's a birth defect in which there is an abnormal connection between the esophagus and the trachea. There may be an extra connection between the esophagus and the trachea or the esophagus may be a blind tube.
What are the characteristics of esophageal atresia?
This condition usually occurs with tracheoesophageal fistula, a condition in which the esophagus is improperly attached to the trachea, the nearby tube that connects the nasal area to the lungs.
What physiological anomaly occurs in esophageal atresia?
the membrane that divides the trachea from the esophagus (tracheoesophageal septum) is incompletely formed, leaving a fistula between the two normally separate organs.
What problems does a tracheoesophageal fistula cause?
When this happens, air enters the gastrointestinal system, causing the bowels to distend, and mucus is breathed into the lungs causing aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems.
How do you know if you have vaginal fistula?
I hope you get the chance to read this! You know you have vaginal fistula if you have urine coming out of your vagina. It will need surgery to repair.
What is the prognosis for a baby with a tracheoesophageal fistula?
Even when the esophagus is successfully separated and reattached, many infants have difficulty swallowing, because the contractility of the esophagus is impaired. Infants may also have problems with gastroesophageal reflux
