Anastomotic leak after primary repair of tracheoesophageal fistula: a dreadful condition.

To cite: Sharma D, Murki S, Pratap T. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/bcr-2014203982 DESCRIPTION Case A term baby boy born with a birth weight of 2.5 kg, with Apgar scores of 8/8/9 was admitted in our neonatal intensive care unit as a case of tracheoesophageal fistula type C. He was evaluated for any VACTERL (Vertebral defects, imperforate Anus, Cardiac defects, TEF with esophageal atresia, Renal dysplasia or defects and Limb anomalies) associated malformations, which were absent. The baby was operated on day 1 with a primary end-to-end anastomosis and was given postoperative respiratory support in the form of ventilation. At the age of day 3, he had increase in respiratory distress with simultaneous increase in ventilation requirements. Evaluation of the baby’s chest X-ray showed rightsided pneumothorax. The baby was managed conservatively with intercostal drainage tube repositioning with needle aspiration. The baby was evaluated with routine esophagram on seventh postoperative day, which showed an anastomotic leak (figures 1A and 1B). The baby was reoperated in view of persistent pneumothorax, ventilator dependency. During the second surgery gastrostomy with oesophagostomy was performed. The baby was extubated successfully and discharged with gastrostomy tube in situ. He is now healthy with a regular following up. DISCUSSION The neonate is suspected as a case of TEF where there is excessive frothing from the mouth, feeding intolerance or difficulty in breathing since birth. Patients with TEF are initially screened for associated malformations including VACTERL associations. Management starts with proper positioning with head end elevation to 45° to prevent aspiration, regular suctioning of secretions (replogle suction catheter). Surgical treatment of TEF includes a single-layer primary end-to-end anastomosis depending on the distance between the ends and during suturing care is taken to minimise the tension between the two ends. Postoperatively the patient is kept nil by mouth with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is given to the patients and minimal feedings are started through tube feeding on 2–3 days after the operation in most cases. The patient is evaluated with esophagram on postoperative day 7 to see any anastomotic leak which is usually seen in around 15% cases. In the presence of leak feeding is withheld and the patient continued on TPN, broad-spectrum antibiotics and the majority of the times the leak gets spontaneously closed without a second operation.