Endoscopic features in esophageal atresia: from birth to adulthood.

S20 S ince the first successful surgery in 1941 (1), the survival of patients with esophageal atresia (EA) has improved greatly. Consequently, the follow-up of these patients has revealed gastrointestinal (GI) complications unrecognized 60 years ago, such as gastroesophageal reflux and esophagitis with their related consequences. Among these complications, 1 of the major concerns in long-term GI follow-up is the increased incidence of gastric metaplasia of the esophagus (2,3), intestinal metaplasia (4,5), and esophageal adenocarcinoma (6–8), all of which have been reported in young adults with EA (5–7). However, the exact incidence and natural history of these complications are unknown in patients with EA, and whether systematic upper GI endoscopic screening and surveillance in the follow-up of patients with EA is recommended is not yet established. In this article, we review the upper GI endoscopy findings in patients with EA, the specificities of upper GI endoscopy in patients with EA (How to scope them? What about landmarks in EA? Do we need to scope the patients? When? How often?), and present a proposed algorithm for the surveillance of patients, children, and adults with EA. We do not address the problem of congenital stenosis or anastomotic and peptic strictures.