[Dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux in children with oesophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula after succesful surgery treatment. Own observations].

BACKGROUND

current succesful surgery of oesophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula leads to increased survival of the affected newborns Hence late complications of the defect itself or those due to surgical methods occur more often.

AIM OF THE STUDY: was to establish on the base of own observations, the frequency of swallowing problems, gastro-esophageal reflux and oesophagitis after successful surgery of oesophageal atresia.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

we investigated 17 patients after successful surgery of oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula, performed during the first days of life, in the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Medical University of Gdańsk (chief prof Czesław Stoba). These patients were diagnosed and treated in the Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Gastroenterology and Oncology, Medical University of Gdańsk, during 2005-2006. There were 10 boys and 7 girls, aged from 4 to 14 years (in the - years 2005-2006). In all children, besides obtaining the detailed history concerning dyspeptic symptoms and dysphagia, upper alimentary tract endoscopy, oesophagography and pH-metric examinations were performed

RESULTS

gastroesopghageal reflux (GER) was diagnosed in 41.2%, and oesophagitis, by endoscopic examination, in. 17.7% of patients. Disturbed oesophageal motility on radiography was observed in 88.2% of children.

CONCLUSIONS

despite the high frequency of gastroesopghageal reflux among this group of patients, their health condition was good, dysphagia and the intensity of the oesophagitis were mild. But it should be remembered that prolonged gastroesopghageal reflux may cause serious complications.