Esophageal Atresia: 13 years\' Experience in Amirkola Children’s Hospital, North of Iran

Background: The most common congenital abnormality of esophagus is esophageal atresia (EA) that can occur with or without tracheoesophageal fistula. Other associated anomalies are the leading cause of death in these patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the main complication, outcomes and cause of death in neonate with EA repaired in Amirkola Children’s Hospital (ACH), Iran within a 13 years period. Methods: This cross sectional study was done on infants that underwent surgical repair for EA in Amirkola Children’s Hospital during 1994-2007. All information such as demographic, birth weight, type of atresia, associated anomaly, complication of surgery, duration of hospital stay and cause of death were obtained from patient medical records. Results: Of all 37 studies cases with the mean gestational age (±SD) 37.2±1.7 weeks and the mean birth weight 2601±504 gram, 3 cases were preterm. The most frequent type was EA with lower segment fistula to trachea. In 37.8% cases there was an associated anomaly that the cardiac anomalies were more common. Surgical complication was seen in 59.5% of cases and 11 of them died in hospital that 63% of them had associated anomaly. Conclusions: Association of other congenital anomalies plays an important role in the survival of patients.