Esophageal Atresia/Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair Complicated by Tracheomalacia: A Case Report of Successful Management of Respiratory Distress Using Caudal Morphine.

We report a case of severe respiratory distress in a neonate who was not endotracheally intubated soon after esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) repair. In this serious situation, any form of emergency respiratory support or definitive airway management may compromise the esophageal anastomosis and fistula repair. The cause of respiratory distress in the early postoperative period after EA/TEF is multifactorial, and in this case, included symptomatic tracheomalacia, which is commonly associated with EA/TEF.