Repair of Esophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula (Open and MIS Approaches)

This chapter describes the surgical procedure for repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula as performed by the following approaches: open and thoracoscopic. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, needed equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: bronchoscopy, positioning of the patient, access to the chest, isolation and ligation of the fistula if present, mobilization of the upper esophageal pouch, esophageal anastomosis, drainage of the chest, and closure of the incision(s).