Retrospective study of outcomes of oesophageal atresia in a single surgical centre over 20 years

Abstract Objective Assess the outcomes of oesophageal atresia (OA) in a single paediatric surgery centre over 20 years. Methods Retrospective review of neonates with OA with analysis of patient demographics, operation approaches, short and long‐term outcomes. Results Sixty‐three neonates (37 males, 26 females; median gestational age 37.6 weeks) were included. Most patients had type C OA. Cardiac anomalies (49%) were most associated. Fifty‐two patients (83%) underwent primary anastomosis, with 34 receiving thoracotomy repair and 18 thoracoscopic repair. Major anastomotic leak requiring surgery occurred in three cases. Long gap OA (LGOA) and thoracoscopic repair were not associated with inferior surgical outcomes. Three patients had recurrent tracheo‐oesophageal fistula (TOF). Seventeen patients required endoscopic dilatation of oesophageal strictures. Fifty‐eight patients (93%) tolerated oral feeding at latest follow up. There were six mortalities, with significant association with pre‐term neonates ( p = 0.01) and LGOA ( p < 0.01). Four out of five patients with LGOA passed away before secondary definitive surgery due to congenital comorbidities. Conclusion Our centre achieved over 90% survival and oral feeding rates in OA patients. Pre‐term neonates and neonates with LGOA showed higher mortality risk. Further studies with larger cohorts and longer follow‐up are warranted to clarify the benefits of thoracoscopic repair.