Double atresia of the oesophagus.

An extremely rare type of congenital malformation of the oesophagus with double atresia and a midportion oesophageal cyst without fistula is presented. The long course of its diagnosis and definitive management are discussed. The interposition of the "cystic" part between the upper and lower segments to produce continuity of the oesophagus by means of a double anastomosis is warranted only if the cyst is sizeable enough to allow a good anastomosis without tension. Furthermore immediate histological frozen sections should demonstrate the cyst to be a part of the oesophagus.