Tracheoesophageal atresia and fistula: a case of mistaken identity?

ABSTRACT

Tracheoesophageal atresia with or without fistula presents shortly after birth with difficulty in swallowing saliva, history of polyhydramnios and failure to pass a nasogastric tube which coils in the proximal blind ending esophagus. Early thoracotomy and primary anastomosis within a few hours of birth have produced a significant survival result; mortality is associated with coexisting serious cardiac disease, late diagnosis and presentation. The majority of patients have a fistula which could result in significant pulmonary contamination with saliva [or food] if the abnormal connection is not urgently ligated