[Esophageal atresia, today].

: In recent years there have been remarkable improvements in the treatment of babies with congenital esophageal atresia. This improvement in survival and in preservation of esophagus is due: to progress in neonatal anesthesia and in preoperative and postoperative intensive care; to progress in surgical management of associated anomalies (mainly congenital malformations of the heart); to progress in surgical management of the malformation. Esophageal anastomosis may be performed in the majority of babies with "long gap" esophageal atresia by operative techniques for lengthening of the upper esophageal segment or by elongation of the upper and lower pouches by means of bougienage or mercury-filled bag. Today the indications for replacement of the esophagus by colon interposition or reversed gastric tube are limited.