Imaging of long gap esophageal atresia and the Foker process: expected findings and complications.

Long gap esophageal atresia (EA) is characterized by esophageal segments that are too far apart for primary anastomosis. Surgical repair utilizing interposition grafts or gastric transposition are often employed. The Foker staged lengthening procedure is an alternative surgical method that utilizes continuous traction on the esophagus to induce esophageal growth and allow for primary esophageal anastomosis. This pictorial review presents the step-by-step radiographic evaluation of the Foker procedure and illustrates the radiographic findings in the most commonly encountered complications in our cohort of 38 patients managed with this procedure from January 2000 to June 2012.