State of Play: Eight Decades of Surgery for Esophageal Atresia

Keywords

esophageal atresia - outcome - surgical techniques - mortality rate - long-term morbidity

Introduction

Advances in surgical expertise, technical equipment as well as anesthetic and neonatal intensive care management, have contributed to decreased mortality and morbidity rates of patient with esophageal atresia (EA) in the last decades.[1] [2] [3]

Before gradual implementation of surgical management, the mortality rate of EA patients was 100%. The first survivors with the condition were independently reported by Leven and Ladd in 1939, who managed their cases with a staged approach consisting of initial gastrostomy, subsequent fistula ligation or division with cervical esophagostomy, and finally creation of an antethoracic skin tube conduit from the esophagostomy to the gastrostomy.[4] [5] [6] [7] The first successful open end-to-end anastomosis and fistula ligation was reported in 1941 by Haight and Towsley.[8] At a later time, Haight revised his technique from a left extrapleural approach with single-layer anastomosis to two-layer anastomosis and a right extrapleural approach.[4] Many of Haight's initial techniques still guide our current management of neonates born with EA.[4]

Another milestone in EA surgery was achieved with the introduction of minimal invasive surgery. In 1999, the first successful thoracoscopic repair of a pure EA was performed.[9] One year later, Rothenberg reported the first thoracoscopic fistula ligation and primary anastomosis.[10] Since then, minimal invasive EA repair is deployed in increasing numbers worldwide.[11]

This report aims to elucidate and compare the outcome development of EA throughout the decades since the first end-to-end anastomosis to modern era. Besides mortality rates, we focused on common and severe postoperative complications after EA repair, such as occurrence of recurrent fistula, anastomotic leakage, and stricture.

Materials and Methods

In January 2018, a PubMed literature search was conducted for the years 1944 to 2017 using different combinations of the following keywords: “esophageal/oesophageal atresia,” “outcome,” “experience,” “management,” and “follow-up/follow up.” Additionally, reference lists of included papers were screened manually for further studies. Duplicates were deleted.

Selection Criteria and Data Extraction

Relevant articles were reviewed by title, abstract, and keywords, and full-text of selected articles were assessed by one of the authors (J.Z.). Only articles in English language were considered. Reports on long-gap EA only, case reports, and reviews without original patient data were excluded. We focused on mortality and rates of recurrent fistula, leakage, and stricture. The data were standardized extracted into an electronic database, containing the characteristics of the study (authors, publication year, time frame of the study, number of patients, age/mean follow-up time, mortality rate, and percentage of patients with recurrent fistula, leakage, and stricture).

Statistical Analysis

Microsoft Excel was used for data analysis. The percentage of patients with recurrent fistula, leakage, and stricture as well as the percentage of patients who died was compared between the different decades.

Results

A total of 747 articles were identified through literature search, of which 118 manuscripts met the inclusion criteria ([Fig. 1]). Included articles and their reported outcomes are shown in [Table 1]. An overview of the included study types is given in [Table 2]. All except for seven were retrospective studies.[3] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] One was a randomized controlled trial as reported by Upadhyaya et al.[18] It is notable that some reports comprise outcome data of several decades, which were matched to the related period.

Table 1 Included articles and their characteristics for this study (chronological order)

Author and year	Study period	Study type	No. of patients	Anastomotic leak	Recurrent fistula	Stricture rate	Mortality
Donoso and Lilja 2017[53]	1994–2013	Retrospective	129	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Tröbs et al 2017[54]	2006–2013	Retrospective	24	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Long et al 2017[15]	2008–2009	Prospective	21	Yes	No	Yes	N/R
Acher et al 2016[17]	Not specified	Prospective	445	Yes	N/R	Yes	N/R
Bakal et al 2016[55]	1996–2011	Retrospective	51	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Bradshaw et al 2016[56]	2004–2013	Retrospective	58	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Dingemann et al 2016[25]	2007–2012	Retrospective	75	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Donoso et al 2016[57]	1994–2013	Retrospective	129	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hannon et al 2016[27]	1993–2015	Retrospective	9	N/R	Yes	N/R	Yes
Hartley et al 2016[58]	1996–2014	Retrospective	120	Yes	N/R	N/R	Yes
Malakounides et al 2016[35]	2001–2011	Retrospective	200	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Okata et al 2016[59]	2000–2015	Retrospective	28	Yes	No	Yes	N/R
Tong et al 2016[60]	2008–2014	Retrospective	35	Yes	N/R	N/R	N/R
Okuyama et al 2015[21]	Not specified	Retrospective	58	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pini Prato et al 2015[14]	2011–2013	Prospective	146	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Uygun et al 2015[61]	2009–2013	Retrospective	6	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Allin et al 2014[12]	2008–2009	Prospective	151	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dunkley et al 2014[52]	1990–2007	Retrospective	66	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fallon et al 2014[62]	2002–2012	Retrospective	91	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lee et al 2014[63]	2008–2013	Retrospective	23	Yes	Yes	Yes	N/R
Schneider et al 2014[13]	2008–2009	Prospective	307	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sulkowski et al 2014[48]	1999–2012	Retrospective	3479	N/R	Yes	N/R	Yes
Wang et al 2014[1]	2000–2009	Retrospective	4168	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Yamato et al 2014[29]	2001–2012	Retrospective	26	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Burge et al 2013[16]	2008–2009	Prospective	151	Yes	N/R	N/R	Yes
Dingemann et al 2013[26]	2001–2011	Retrospective	44	Yes	Yes	No	No
Koivusalo et al 2013[37]	1991–2001	Retrospective	130	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Niramis et al 2013[64]	2003–2010	Retrospective	132	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rothenberg 2013[24]	2000–2012	Retrospective	61	Yes	No	Yes	No
Sfeir et al 2013[3]	2008–2009	Prospective	307	N/R	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sfeir et al 2013[65]	2008–2009	Retrospective	307	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Huang et al 2012[46]	2007–2012	Retrospective	33	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Jawaid et al 2012[66]	1999–2009	Retrospective	119	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Oddsberg et al 2012[47]	1964–2007	Retrospective	1126	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Rothenberg 2012[30]	N/R	Retrospective	49	Yes	No	Yes	No
Spoel et al 2012[50]	2005–2009	Retrospective	37	N/R	N/R	Yes	N/R
Burford et al 2011[67]	1993–2008	Retrospective	72	Yes	Yes	Yes	N/R
Sistonen et al 2011[68]	1947–1985	Retrospective	101	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Szavay et al 2011[22]	2002–2010	Retrospective	68	Yes	N/R	N/R	No
Zhao et al 2011[69]	2000–2009	Retrospective	85	Yes	N/R	Yes	N/R
Jong et al 2010[70]	2000–2006	Retrospective	59	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lacher et al 2010[36]	1988–2009	Retrospective	111	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Serhal et al 2010[71]	2000–2005	Retrospective	62	Yes	N/R	N/R	N/R
MacKinlay 2009[72]	N/R	Retrospective	36	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Patkowsk et al 2009[73]	2005–2008	Retrospective	23	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Petrosyan et al 2009[2]	1987–2009	Retrospective	25	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Tandon et al 2009[74]	2007–2008	Retrospective	98	Yes	N/R	N/R	Yes
Lilja et al. 2008[38]	1986–2005	Retrospective	147	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lugo et al 2008[23]	2000–2006	Retrospective	33	Yes	N/R	Yes	No
Sri Paran et al 2007[75]	1977–2004	Retrospective	26	N/R	N/R	Yes	Yes
Upadhyaya et al 2007[18]	2004–2006	RCT	50	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
van der Zee and Bax 2007[76]	2000–2006	Retrospective	51	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Al-Salem et al 2006[33]	1989–2004	Retrospective	94	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sugito et al 2006[34]	1975–2003	Retrospective	24	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Uchida et al 2006[77]	1979–2003	Retrospective	42	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Yang et al 2006[31]	1994–2003	Retrospective	15	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Al-Malki et al 2005[78]	1990–2000	Retrospective	101	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Holcomb et al 2005[39]	N/R	Retrospective	104	Yes	Yes	Yes	N/R
Calisti et al 2004[79]	1999–2002	Retrospective	75	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Deurloo et al 2004[80]	1982–2002	Retrospective	197	Yes	Yes	N/R	Yes
Orford et al 2004[81]	1970–2000	Retrospective	152	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Tonz et al 2004[82]	1973–1999	Retrospective	104	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Touloukian, Seashore[83]	1968–2003	Retrospective	143	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Konkin et al 2003[84]	1984–2000	Retrospective	144	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Little et al 2003[43]	1972–1990	Retrospective	69	Yes	N/R	Yes	N/R
van der Zee and Bax 2003[85]	2002	Retrospective	13	Yes	N/R	Yes	N/R
Deurloo et al 2002[86]	1947–2000	Retrospective	371	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sharma et al 2000[32]	1972–1996	Retrospective	585	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sparey et al 2000[87]	1985–1997	Retrospective	120	N/R	N/R	Yes	Yes
Nawaz et al 1998[88]	1981–1996	Retrospective	41	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Somppi et al 1998[89]	1963–1993	Retrospective	60	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Okada et al 1997	1957–1995	Retrospective	159	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tsai et al 1997[90]	1957–1995	Retrospective	81	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Engum et al 1995[91]	1971–1993	Retrospective	227	N/R	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rokitansky et al 1994[92]	1960–1991	Retrospective	309	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Spitz et al 1994[28]	1980–1992	Retrospective	372	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Alexander et al 1993[93]	1966–1986	Retrospective	25	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rokitansky et al 1993[45]	1975–1991	Retrospective	223	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Touloukian 1992[94]	1968–1990	Retrospective	68	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Poenaru et al 1991[95]	1962–1988	Retrospective	131	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
McKinnon and Kosloske 1990[96]	1976–1989	Retrospective	64	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Adebo 1990[97]	1977–1987	Retrospective	11	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Chittmittrapap et al 1990[98]	1980–1987	Retrospective	199	Yes	Yes	Yes	N/R
Randolph et al 1988[99]	1966–1988	Retrospective	118	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Pohlsen et al 1988[100]	1980–1986	Retrospective	70	Yes	N/R	N/R	Yes
Sillen et al 1988[101]	1967–1984	Retrospective	110	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Biller et al 1987[102]	1950–1960	Retrospective	12	No	N/R	Yes	N/R
Connolly and Guiney 1987[103]	1974–1983	Retrospective	139	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Spitz et al 1987[104]	1980–1985	Retrospective	148	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Manning et al 1986[4]	1935–1985	Retrospective	426	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bishop et al 1985[105]	1951–1983	Retrospective	240	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Louhimo and Lindahl 1983[106]	1947–1978	Retrospective	500	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
O'Neill et al 1982[107]	1971–1980	Retrospective	53	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Lindahl et al 1982[108]	1949–1955	Retrospective	54	Yes	Yes	N/R	Yes
Touloukian 1981[109]	1968–1979	Retrospective	38	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Atwell et al 1980[110]	1967–1976	Retrospective	6	N/R	N/R	Yes	Yes
Strodel et al 1979[42]	N/R	Retrospective	365	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hrabovsky and Boles 1978[111]	1961–1973	Retrospective	135	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Fasting and Winther 1978[112]	1952–1976	Retrospective	86	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Pietsch et al 1978[113]	1962–1977	Retrospective	52	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Exarhos et al1977[114]	N/R	Retrospective	16	N/R	N/R	Yes	Yes
Orringer et al 1977[115]	N/R	Retrospective	22	N/R	N/R	Yes	N/R
Ein and Themann 1973[49]	2,5 years	Retrospective	38	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Laks et al 1972[116]	1945–1955	Retrospective	45	N/R	N/R	Yes	N/R
Battersby et al 1971[117]	1940–1969	Retrospective	210	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Ferguson et al 1970[118]	1954–1969	Retrospective	69	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Holden and Wooler 1970[119]	1939–1967	Retrospective	116	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Krishinger et al 1969[120]	1944–1968	Retrospective	30	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Romsdahl et al 1966[121]	1949–1965	Retrospective	34	N/R	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wayson et al 1965[41]	1940–1965	Retrospective	89	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Waterston et al 1962[122]	1946–1959	Retrospective	218	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Hays 1962[123]	1950–1960	Retrospective	110	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Rehbein and Yanagiswa 1958[124]	1951–1958	Retrospective	84	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Parish and Cummings 1958[5]	N/R	Retrospective	17	N/R	N/R	Yes	Yes
Ashe and Seibold 1949[125]	N/R	Retrospective	8	Yes	N/R	Yes	Yes
Ladd and Swenson 19947[126]	1940–1946	Retrospective	75	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Daniel 1944[127]	1941–1944	Retrospective	7	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes
Haight 1944[128]	1935–1944	Retrospective	28	N/R	N/R	N/R	Yes

Abbreviations: N/R, mortality or morbidity not reported; No, no mortality or morbidity occurred during the study period; RCT, randomized controlled trial; Yes, rate for mortality or morbidity is mentioned in the paper.

Note: For reasons of clarity, this table gives only a brief overview of the recorded data of included papers. The extended table with staggered outcome regarding the different decades can be requested from the authors.

Table 2 Overview of included study types (multiple selections possible)

Study type	Number of studies
Randomized controlled trials	1
Prospective studies	7
Retrospective studies	110
Multicenter studies	10
Single-center studies	100
Comparative Studies	7

Fig. 1 PRISMA flow chart for data extraction. EA, esophageal atresia; PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

A total of 102 (86%) of the included studies reported on mortality. Reported mortality rate after EA repair decreased markedly over time. It dropped from 100% in the presurgical era to 81% in the 1940s and to 54% in the 1950s. Further reduction followed in the next decades with 36% in 1960 to 1969, 28% in 1970 to 1979, and 16% in 1980 to 1989 and 1990 to 1999. In the postmillennial era, mortality rate after EA repair decreased further to 12% in 2000 to 2009, and in the current decade, it is 9% ([Fig. 2]).

Fig. 2 Reported mortality rate decreased from 100% before 1941 to 54% in 1950 to 1959, 28% in 1970 to 1979, 16% in 1990 to 1999, and 9% nowadays. Rates of recurrent fistula varied over time between 4 and 9% and leakage rate varied between 11 and 16%. However, stricture rate increased from 25 to 38%.

Reported rates of recurrent fistula varied over time between 4 and 9%, and leakage rate varied between 11 and 16% ([Fig. 2]). The number of studies reporting on recurrent fistula and leakage rate were 67 (56%) and 89 (75%), respectively, in this study.

Ninety-one (77%) out of 118 included papers reported on stricture rate. Stricture rate showed a substantial increase in the last decade. Between 1940 and 2009, the reported rate varied between 25 and 31%, whereas the average stricture rate was 38% in 2010 to 2017 ([Fig. 2]).

Discussion

“To anastomose the ends of an infant's esophagus, the surgeon must be as delicate and precise as a skilled watchmaker. No other operation offers a greater opportunity for pure technical artistry.”[19] This statement made by Dr. Willis J. Potts in the 1950s has lost none of its relevance.[19] In addition to surgery and refinement of surgical technique, newly developed drugs and equipment and continuous optimization of treatment strategies has led to constantly improved survival rates of neonates born with EA over time. Before the era of surgical correction, the diagnosis of EA was a death sentence, but overall mortality reached a single-digit rate in the last decade. There is an ongoing discussion for surgical best practice: open or thoracoscopic technique.[20] Several authors postulated that both approaches have a comparable perioperative outcome,[21] [22] [23] while others rate minimal invasive repair superior.[24] Careful patient selection and the case load per center may influence surgical outcome after EA correction.[25] [26] Additionally, there seems to be a considerable variability in technical aspects of the operation as well as the postoperative management of patients with EA.[11] [21] Examples are intrapleural versus extrapleural approaches, choice of suturing and surgical sewing material, and application of chest drains or transanastomotic tubes.[11] Furthermore, use and duration of paralysis, mechanical ventilation, antibiotic treatment, as well as antacid therapy vary widely among different centers worldwide.[11]

Even high-risk groups (very-low-birth-weight infants/extremely premature babies) present currently with acceptable survival rates. Hannon et al demonstrated 50% survival in EA patients with a birth weight below 1 kg.[27] However, in their study, all infants below 800 g body weight had poor outcome.[27] In contrast, there is 95% expected survival in babies of more than 1500 g body weight, depending on their comorbidites.[27] [28]

Although several authors published a survival rate of 100% in their center,[22] [23] [24] [26] [29] [30] the overall mortality found in this study was between 9 and 11% in the last two decades. This is due to the fact that we also included studies with very-low-birth-weight infants and articles from third world countries in this report.[27] [31] [32] [33] [34] However, it has been suggested that birth weight is nowadays not an important factor as it was previously, although major cardiac anomalies are still of poor prognostic aspect.[35]

In our report, leakage rate remained stable over time between 11 and 16%, suggesting that surgical variations do not have any substantial influence on this complication. Likewise, neither open nor thoracoscopic technique seems to markedly affect the rate of recurrent fistula.[36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] Although, there are minor variations between 4 and 9% over time course, there was no further improvement since introduction of the minimal invasive technique. It remains elusive, why we observed a drop to 4% rate of recurrent fistula in the 1950s compared with high rates up to 9% in the following two decades.

Surprisingly, we found that stricture rate after EA repair increased in the last decade. A recent survey admonishes that retrospective studies of EA may underestimate long-term esophageal complications, such as strictures.[17] It is debatable, whether pediatric surgeons have become more aware of this complication during follow-up appointments over time and may therefore indicate endoscopic diagnostic including balloon dilatation or bougienage more generously. On the other hand, there is no uniform definition for “stricture” and indication of therapeutic interventions, which might explain the observed stricture rate variation between 4 and almost 90%. Additionally, thoracoscopic technique and its associated learning curve might also affect anastomotic narrowing. Correspondingly, Rothenberg described stricture rates of almost 50% in their initial minimal invasive series, decreasing later to 20%.[24] Furthermore, babies less than 1500 g of body weight have been found to have an increased risk of stricturing with primary EA repair.[2] In several long-term analyses, dysphagia and swallow difficulties have been shown to be common problems.[36] [43] [44] However, they seem to occur mainly in the first years of life and become clinically less relevant thereafter as most children learn coping mechanisms over the years.[43] [44] Nonetheless, the continuously high complication rates demonstrate that close interdisciplinary long-term follow-up is more important than ever. It is crucial to detect and treat the complications accordingly, and patients born with EA must be assisted for transition to adult care by their pediatric surgeon.

Remarkably, only one randomized control trial[18] and seven prospective studies[3] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] could be included in this study. A limited number of multicenter studies[1] [3] [12] [13] [21] [39] [45] [46] [47] [48] reported on their experiences, whereas the majority presented single center data. Likewise, also comparative studies were rare.[22] [23] [29] [49] [50] [51] [52] Therefore, the current level of evidence in EA treatment is very low, and reference networks such as The European Reference Network on Rare inherited and congenital anomalies (ERNICA), which aims to assure quality treatment with high levels of evidence for EA in the future, are urgently needed.

The authors are aware of study limitations. A key point is the heterogeneity of included EA cases. No distinction was made between different types of EA (gap length, existence of a tracheoesophageal fistula). As we aimed to show the worldwide overall outcome of morbidity and mortality over time course, the articles were not extracted for surgical technique (open vs. minimal invasive, anastomotic technique, and primary vs. staged repair), birth weight/age, associated anomalies, time of follow-up, or country of origin (industrial states vs. third world countries). There is also a potential bias in study selection for the current manuscript. Amount of accessibility of papers from the early decades was restricted. Furthermore, there is a considerable variety of therapeutic regimen and treatment strategies among the different centers involved in EA treatment as well as the possibility of selection bias in the included studies themselves.

Conclusion

This article reflects the heterogeneity of EA, its patients, and its repair modalities during the course of 80 years. The worldwide mortality rate decreased from 100% in the presurgical era to a single-digit range in the last decade. Along with the decrease in mortality, there is a shift to the importance of major postoperative complications and long-term morbidity regardless of surgical technique. Therefore, close and regular follow-up of EA patients must be mandatory to assure health and normal development not only during childhood, but also for transition into adult care. Further studies, particularly prospective or randomized controlled trials, or at least consensus conferences, are needed to achieve higher levels of evidence and quality improvement for current therapeutic strategies for EA treatment.

• References

• 1 Wang B, Tashiro J, Allan BJ. , et al. A nationwide analysis of clinical outcomes among newborns with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistulas in the United States. J Surg Res 2014; 190 (02) 604-612
• 2 Petrosyan M, Estrada J, Hunter C. , et al. Esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula in very low-birth-weight neonates: improved outcomes with staged repair. J Pediatr Surg 2009; 44 (12) 2278-2281
• 3 Sfeir R, Bonnard A, Khen-Dunlop N. , et al. Esophageal atresia: data from a national cohort. J Pediatr Surg 2013; 48 (08) 1664-1669
• 4 Manning PB, Morgan RA, Coran AG. , et al. Fifty years' experience with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. Beginning with Cameron Haight's first operation in 1935. Ann Surg 1986; 204 (04) 446-453
• 5 Parish C, Cummins CF. Oesophageal atresia; experience in 17 cases, with notes on operative technique. BMJ 1958; 1 (5080): 1140-1144
• 6 Ladd WE. The surgical treatment of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistulas. N Engl J Med 1944; 230 (21) 625-637
• 7 Leven NL. Congenital atresia of esophagus with tracheoesophageal fistula: report of successful extrapleural ligation of fistulous communication and cervical esophagotomy. J Thorac Surg 1941; 10: 648-657
• 8 Haight C, Towsley HA. Congenital atresia of the oesophagus with trachea-oesophageal fistula: Extrapleural ligation of fistula and end-to-end-anastomosis of oesophageal segments. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1943; 76: 672-688
• 9 Lobe TE, Rothenberg S, Waldschmidt J, Stroedter L. Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia in an infant: a surgical first. Pediatric Endosurgery & Innovative Techniques. 1999; 3 (03) 141-148
• 10 Rothenberg SS. Thoracoscopic repair of a tracheoesophageal fistula in a newborn infant. Pediatric Endosurgery & Innovative Techniques. 2000; 4 (04) 289-294
• 11 Lal D, Miyano G, Juang D, Sharp NE, St Peter SD. Current patterns of practice and technique in the repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: an IPEG survey. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2013; 23 (07) 635-638
• 12 Allin B, Knight M, Johnson P, Burge D. ; BAPS-CASS. Outcomes at one-year post anastomosis from a national cohort of infants with oesophageal atresia. PLoS One 2014; 9 (08) e106149
• 13 Schneider A, Blanc S, Bonnard A. , et al. Results from the French National Esophageal Atresia register: one-year outcome. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2014; 9: 206
• 14 Pini Prato A, Carlucci M, Bagolan P. , et al. A cross-sectional nationwide survey on esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 2015; 50 (09) 1441-1456
• 15 Long A-M, Tyraskis A, Allin B, Burge DM, Knight M. Oesophageal atresia with no distal tracheoesophageal fistula: management and outcomes from a population-based cohort. J Pediatr Surg 2017; 52 (02) 226-230
• 16 Burge DM, Shah K, Spark P. , et al; British Association of Paediatric Surgeons Congenital Anomalies Surveillance System (BAPS-CASS). Contemporary management and outcomes for infants born with oesophageal atresia. Br J Surg 2013; 100 (04) 515-521
• 17 Acher CW, Ostlie DJ, Leys CM, Struckmeyer S, Parker M, Nichol PF. Long-term outcomes of patients with tracheoesophageal fistula/esophageal atresia: survey results from tracheoesophageal fistula/esophageal atresia online communities. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2016; 26 (06) 476-480
• 18 Upadhyaya VD, Gangopadhyaya AN, Gopal SC. , et al. Is ligation of azygos vein necessary in primary repair of tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia?. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2007; 17 (04) 236-240
• 19 Cloud DT. Anastomotic technic in esophageal atresia. J Pediatr Surg 1968; 3 (05) 561-564
• 20 Davenport M, Rothenberg SS, Crabbe DCG, Wulkan ML. The great debate: open or thoracoscopic repair for oesophageal atresia or diaphragmatic hernia. J Pediatr Surg 2015; 50 (02) 240-246
• 21 Okuyama H, Koga H, Ishimaru T. , et al. Current practice and outcomes of thoracoscopic esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula repair: a multi-institutional analysis in Japan. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2015; 25 (05) 441-444
• 22 Szavay PO, Zundel S, Blumenstock G. , et al. Perioperative outcome of patients with esophageal atresia and tracheo-esophageal fistula undergoing open versus thoracoscopic surgery. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2011; 21 (05) 439-443
• 23 Lugo B, Malhotra A, Guner Y, Nguyen T, Ford H, Nguyen NX. Thoracoscopic versus open repair of tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2008; 18 (05) 753-756
• 24 Rothenberg SS. Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula in neonates, first decade's experience. Dis Esophagus 2013; 26 (04) 359-364
• 25 Dingemann C, Dietrich J, Zeidler J. , et al. Early complications after esophageal atresia repair: analysis of a German health insurance database covering a population of 8 million. Dis Esophagus 2016; 29 (07) 780-786
• 26 Dingemann C, Zoeller C, Ure B. Thoracoscopic repair of oesophageal atresia: results of a selective approach. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2013; 23 (01) 14-18
• 27 Hannon EJ, Billington J, Kiely EM. , et al. Oesophageal atresia is correctable and survivable in infants less than 1 kg. Pediatr Surg Int 2016; 32 (06) 571-576
• 28 Spitz L, Kiely EM, Morecroft JA, Drake DP. Oesophageal atresia: at-risk groups for the 1990s. J Pediatr Surg 1994; 29 (06) 723-725
• 29 Yamoto M, Urusihara N, Fukumoto K. , et al. Thoracoscopic versus open repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula at a single institution. Pediatr Surg Int 2014; 30 (09) 883-887
• 30 Rothenberg SS. Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia and tracheo-esophageal fistula in neonates: evolution of a technique. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2012; 22 (02) 195-199
• 31 Yang C-F, Soong W-J, Jeng M-J. , et al. Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula: ten years of experience in an institute. J Chin Med Assoc 2006; 69 (07) 317-321
• 32 Sharma AK, Shekhawat NS, Agrawal LD, Chaturvedi V, Kothari SK, Goel D. Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: a review of 25 years' experience. Pediatr Surg Int 2000; 16 (07) 478-482
• 33 Al-Salem AH, Tayeb M, Khogair S. , et al. Esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula: success and failure in 94 cases. Ann Saudi Med 2006; 26 (02) 116-119
• 34 Sugito K, Koshinaga T, Hoshino M. , et al. Study of 24 cases with congenital esophageal atresia: what are the risk factors?. Pediatr Int 2006; 48 (06) 616-621
• 35 Malakounides G, Lyon P, Cross K. , et al. Esophageal atresia: improved outcome in high-risk groups revisited. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2016; 26 (03) 227-231
• 36 Lacher M, Froehlich S, von Schweinitz D, Dietz HG. Early and long term outcome in children with esophageal atresia treated over the last 22 years. Klin Padiatr 2010; 222 (05) 296-301
• 37 Koivusalo AI, Pakarinen MP, Rintala RJ. Modern outcomes of oesophageal atresia: single centre experience over the last twenty years. J Pediatr Surg 2013; 48 (02) 297-303
• 38 Lilja HE, Wester T. Outcome in neonates with esophageal atresia treated over the last 20 years. Pediatr Surg Int 2008; 24 (05) 531-536
• 39 Holcomb III GW, Rothenberg SS, Bax KMA. , et al. Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: a multi-institutional analysis. Ann Surg 2005; 242 (03) 422-428
• 40 Okada A, Usui N, Inoue M. , et al. Esophageal atresia in Osaka: a review of 39 years' experience. J Pediatr Surg 1997; 32 (11) 1570-1574
• 41 Wayson EE, Garnjobst W, Chandler JJ, Peterson CG. Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula; Lessons of a quarter century's experience. Am J Surg 1965; 110: 162-167
• 42 Strodel WE, Coran AG, Kirsh MM, Weintraub WH, Wesley JR, Sloan H. Esophageal atresia. A 41-year experience. Arch Surg 1979; 114 (04) 523-527
• 43 Little DC, Rescorla FJ, Grosfeld JL, West KW, Scherer LR, Engum SA. Long-term analysis of children with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 2003; 38 (06) 852-856
• 44 Schier F, Korn S, Michel E. Experiences of a parent support group with the long-term consequences of esophageal atresia. J Pediatr Surg 2001; 36 (04) 605-610
• 45 Rokitansky AM, Kolankaya VA, Seidl S. , et al. Recent evaluation of prognostic risk factors in esophageal atresia--a multicenter review of 223 cases. Eur J Pediatr Surg 1993; 3 (04) 196-201
• 46 Huang J, Tao J, Chen K. , et al. Thoracoscopic repair of oesophageal atresia: experience of 33 patients from two tertiary referral centres. J Pediatr Surg 2012; 47 (12) 2224-2227
• 47 Oddsberg J, Lu Y, Lagergren J. Aspects of esophageal atresia in a population-based setting: incidence, mortality, and cancer risk. Pediatr Surg Int 2012; 28 (03) 249-257
• 48 Sulkowski JP, Cooper JN, Lopez JJ. , et al. Morbidity and mortality in patients with esophageal atresia. Surgery 2014; 156 (02) 483-491
• 49 Ein SH, Theman TE. A comparison of the results of primary repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistulas using end-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses. J Pediatr Surg 1973; 8 (05) 641-645
• 50 Spoel M, Meeussen CJHM, Gischler SJ. , et al. Respiratory morbidity and growth after open thoracotomy or thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia. J Pediatr Surg 2012; 47 (11) 1975-1983
• 51 Koga H, Yamoto M, Okazaki T. , et al. Factors affecting postoperative respiratory tract function in type-C esophageal atresia. Thoracoscopic versus open repair. Pediatr Surg Int 2014; 30 (12) 1273-1277
• 52 Dunkley ME, Zalewska KM, Shi E, Stalewski H. Management of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula in North Queensland. Int Surg 2014; 99 (03) 276-279
• 53 Donoso F, Lilja HE. Risk factors for anastomotic strictures after esophageal atresia repair: prophylactic proton pump inhibitors do not reduce the incidence of strictures. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2017; 27 (01) 50-55
• 54 Tröbs RB, Finke W, Bahr M. , et al. Isolated tracheoesophageal fistula versus esophageal atresia - early morbidity and short-term outcome. A single institution series. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2017; 94: 104-111
• 55 Bakal U, Ersoz F, Eker I, Sarac M, Aydin M, Kazez A. Long-term prognosis of patients with esophageal atresia and/or tracheoesophageal fistula. Indian J Pediatr 2016; 83 (05) 401-404
• 56 Bradshaw CJ, Thakkar H, Knutzen L. , et al. Accuracy of prenatal detection of tracheoesophageal fistula and oesophageal atresia. J Pediatr Surg 2016; 51 (08) 1268-1272
• 57 Donoso F, Kassa A-M, Gustafson E, Meurling S, Lilja HE. Outcome and management in infants with esophageal atresia - a single centre observational study. J Pediatr Surg 2016; 51 (09) 1421-1425
• 58 Hartley MJ, Smith NPM, Jaffray B. Statistical modelling of survival for babies with oesophageal atresia. J Pediatr Surg 2016; 51 (07) 1110-1114
• 59 Okata Y, Maeda K, Bitoh Y. , et al. Evaluation of the intraoperative risk factors for esophageal anastomotic complications after primary repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula. Pediatr Surg Int 2016; 32 (09) 869-873
• 60 Tong S, Mallitt K-A, Krishnan U. Evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux by combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring and esophageal motility patterns in children with esophageal atresia. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2016; 26 (04) 322-331
• 61 Uygun I, Zeytun H, Otcu S. Immediate primary anastomosis for isolated oesophageal atresia: a single-centre experience. Afr J Paediatr Surg 2015; 12 (04) 273-279
• 62 Fallon SC, Ethun CG, Olutoye OO. , et al. Comparing characteristics and outcomes in infants with prenatal and postnatal diagnosis of esophageal atresia. J Surg Res 2014; 190 (01) 242-245
• 63 Lee S, Lee S-K, Seo J-M. Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula: overcoming the learning curve. J Pediatr Surg 2014; 49 (11) 1570-1572
• 64 Niramis R, Tangkhabuanbut P, Anuntkosol M, Buranakitjaroen V, Tongsin A, Mahatharadol V. Clinical outcomes of esophageal atresia: comparison between the Waterston and the Spitz classifications. Ann Acad Med Singapore 2013; 42 (06) 297-300
• 65 Sfeir R, Michaud L, Salleron J, Gottrand F. Epidemiology of esophageal atresia. Dis Esophagus 2013; 26 (04) 354-355
• 66 Jawaid W, Chan B, Jesudason EC. Subspecialization may improve an esophageal atresia service but has not addressed declining trainee experience. J Pediatr Surg 2012; 47 (07) 1363-1368
• 67 Burford JM, Dassinger MS, Copeland DR, Keller JE, Smith SD. Repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula via thoracotomy: a contemporary series. Am J Surg 2011; 202 (02) 203-206
• 68 Sistonen SJ, Pakarinen MP, Rintala RJ. Long-term results of esophageal atresia: Helsinki experience and review of literature. Pediatr Surg Int 2011; 27 (11) 1141-1149
• 69 Zhao R, Li K, Shen C, Zheng S. The outcome of conservative treatment for anastomotic leakage after surgical repair of esophageal atresia. J Pediatr Surg 2011; 46 (12) 2274-2278
• 70 de Jong EM, de Haan MAM, Gischler SJ. , et al. Pre- and postnatal diagnosis and outcome of fetuses and neonates with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. Prenat Diagn 2010; 30 (03) 274-279
• 71 Serhal L, Gottrand F, Sfeir R. , et al. Anastomotic stricture after surgical repair of esophageal atresia: frequency, risk factors, and efficacy of esophageal bougie dilatations. J Pediatr Surg 2010; 45 (07) 1459-1462
• 72 MacKinlay GA. Esophageal atresia surgery in the 21st century. Semin Pediatr Surg 2009; 18 (01) 20-22
• 73 Patkowsk D, Rysiakiewicz K, Jaworski W. , et al. Thoracoscopic repair of tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2009; 19 (Suppl 1): S19-S22
• 74 Tandon RK, Khan TR, Maletha M, Rawat JD, Wakhlu A, Kureel SN. Modified method of primary esophageal anastomosis with improved outcome in cases of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula. Pediatr Surg Int 2009; 25 (04) 369-372
• 75 Sri Paran T, Decaluwe D, Corbally M, Puri P. Long-term results of delayed primary anastomosis for pure oesophageal atresia: a 27-year follow up. Pediatr Surg Int 2007; 23 (07) 647-651
• 76 van der Zee DC, Bax KNMA. Thoracoscopic treatment of esophageal atresia with distal fistula and of tracheomalacia. Semin Pediatr Surg 2007; 16 (04) 224-230
• 77 Uchida K, Inoue M, Otake K. , et al. Efficacy of postoperative elective ventilatory support for leakage protection in primary anastomosis of congenital esophageal atresia. Pediatr Surg Int 2006; 22 (06) 496-499
• 78 Al-Malki TA, Ibrahim AH. Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula and early postoperative mortality. West Afr J Med 2005; 24 (04) 311-315
• 79 Calisti A, Oriolo L, Nanni L, Molle P, Briganti V, D'Urzo C. Mortality and long term morbidity in esophageal atresia: the reduced impact of low birth weight and maturity on surgical outcome. J Perinat Med 2004; 32 (02) 171-175
• 80 Deurloo JA, Smit BJ, Ekkelkamp S, Aronson DC. Oesophageal atresia in premature infants: an analysis of morbidity and mortality over a period of 20 years. Acta Paediatr 2004; 93 (03) 394-399
• 81 Orford J, Cass DT, Glasson MJ. Advances in the treatment of oesophageal atresia over three decades: the 1970s and the 1990s. Pediatr Surg Int 2004; 20 (06) 402-407
• 82 Tönz M, Köhli S, Kaiser G. Oesophageal atresia: what has changed in the last 3 decades?. Pediatr Surg Int 2004; 20 (10) 768-772
• 83 Touloukian RJ, Seashore JH. Thirty-five-year institutional experience with end-to-side repair for esophageal atresia. Arch Surg 2004; 139 (04) 371-374
• 84 Konkin DE, O'hali WA, Webber EM, Blair GK. Outcomes in esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 2003; 38 (12) 1726-1729
• 85 van der Zee DC, Bax NMA. Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia with distal fistula. Surg Endosc 2003; 17 (07) 1065-1067
• 86 Deurloo JA, Ekkelkamp S, Schoorl M, Heij HA, Aronson DC. Esophageal atresia: historical evolution of management and results in 371 patients. Ann Thorac Surg 2002; 73 (01) 267-272
• 87 Sparey C, Jawaheer G, Barrett AM, Robson SC. Esophageal atresia in the Northern Region Congenital Anomaly Survey, 1985-1997: prenatal diagnosis and outcome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000; 182 (02) 427-431
• 88 Nawaz A, Matta H, Shawis R, Jazcobsz A, Kassir S, Al-Salem AH. Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: success and failure rates in the United Arab Emirates. Pediatr Surg Int 1998; 14 (03) 214-217
• 89 Somppi E, Tammela O, Ruuska T. , et al. Outcome of patients operated on for esophageal atresia: 30 years' experience. J Pediatr Surg 1998; 33 (09) 1341-1346
• 90 Tsai JY, Berkery L, Wesson DE, Redo SF, Spigland NA. Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: surgical experience over two decades. Ann Thorac Surg 1997; 64 (03) 778-783
• 91 Engum SA, Grosfeld JL, West KW, Rescorla FJ, Scherer III LR. Analysis of morbidity and mortality in 227 cases of esophageal atresia and/or tracheoesophageal fistula over two decades. Arch Surg 1995; 130 (05) 502-508 , discussion 508–509
• 92 Rokitansky A, Kolankaya A, Bichler B, Mayr J, Menardi G. Analysis of 309 cases of esophageal atresia for associated congenital malformations. Am J Perinatol 1994; 11 (02) 123-128
• 93 Alexander F, Johanningman J, Martin LW. Staged repair improves outcome of high-risk premature infants with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 1993; 28 (02) 151-154
• 94 Touloukian RJ. Reassessment of the end-to-side operation for esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula: 22-year experience with 68 cases. J Pediatr Surg 1992; 27 (05) 562-567
• 95 Poenaru D, Laberge JM, Neilson IR, Nguyen LT, Guttman FM. A more than 25-year experience with end-to-end versus end-to-side repair for esophageal atresia. J Pediatr Surg 1991; 26 (04) 472-476
• 96 McKinnon LJ, Kosloske AM. Prediction and prevention of anastomotic complications of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 1990; 25 (07) 778-781
• 97 Adebo OA. Oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula: review of a 10-year personal experience. West Afr J Med 1990; 9 (03) 164-169
• 98 Chittmittrapap S, Spitz L, Kiely EM, Brereton RJ. Anastomotic stricture following repair of esophageal atresia. J Pediatr Surg 1990; 25 (05) 508-511
• 99 Randolph JG, Newman KD, Anderson KD. Current results in repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula using physiologic status as a guide to therapy. Ann Surg 1989; 209 (05) 526-530
• 100 Pohlson EC, Schaller RT, Tapper D. Improved survival with primary anastomosis in the low birth weight neonate with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 1988; 23 (05) 418-421
• 101 Sillén U, Hagberg S, Rubenson A, Werkmäster K. Management of esophageal atresia: review of 16 years' experience. J Pediatr Surg 1988; 23 (09) 805-809
• 102 Biller JA, Allen JL, Schuster SR, Treves ST, Winter HS. Long-term evaluation of esophageal and pulmonary function in patients with repaired esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. Dig Dis Sci 1987; 32 (09) 985-990
• 103 Connolly B, Guiney EJ. Trends in tracheoesophageal fistula. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1987; 164 (04) 308-312
• 104 Spitz L, Kiely E, Brereton RJ. Esophageal atresia: five year experience with 148 cases. J Pediatr Surg 1987; 22 (02) 103-108
• 105 Bishop PJ, Klein MD, Philippart AI, Hixson DS, Hertzler JH. Transpleural repair of esophageal atresia without a primary gastrostomy: 240 patients treated between 1951 and 1983. J Pediatr Surg 1985; 20 (06) 823-828
• 106 Louhimo I, Lindahl H. Esophageal atresia: primary results of 500 consecutively treated patients. J Pediatr Surg 1983; 18 (03) 217-229
• 107 O'Neill Jr JA, Holcomb Jr GW, Neblett III WW. Recent experience with esophageal atresia. Ann Surg 1982; 195 (06) 739-745
• 108 Lindahl H, Louhimo I, Virkola K. 30-year follow-up of the original Sulamaa (end-to-side) operation for oesophageal atresia. Z Kinderchir 1983; 38 (03) 152-154
• 109 Touloukian RJ. Long-term results following repair of esophageal atresia by end-to-side anastomosis and ligation of the tracheoesophageal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 1981; 16 (06) 983-988
• 110 Atwell JD, Harrison GS. Observations on the role of esophagogastrostomy in infancy and childhood with particular reference to the long-term results and operative mortality. J Pediatr Surg 1980; 15 (03) 303-309
• 111 Hrabovsky E, Boles Jr ET. Long term results following esophageal anastomosis in the neonate. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1978; 147 (01) 30-32
• 112 Fasting H, Winther LK. Oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula. Early and late results in 86 patients. Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1978; 12 (02) 147-151
• 113 Pietsch JB, Stokes KB, Beardmore HE. Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula: end-to-end versus end-to-side repair. J Pediatr Surg 1978; 13 (6D): 677-681
• 114 Exarhos ND, Moutsouris C, Skalkeas G. Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula. Int Surg 1977; 62 (04) 202-203
• 115 Orringer MB, Kirsh MM, Sloan H. Long-term esophageal function following repair of esophageal atresia. Ann Surg 1977; 186 (04) 436-443
• 116 Laks H, Wilkinson RH, Schuster SR. Long-term results following correction of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula: a clinical and cinefluorographic study. J Pediatr Surg 1972; 7 (05) 591-597
• 117 Battersby JS, Jolly WW, Fess SW. Esophageal atresia: a comprehensive study of 210 patients. Bull Soc Int Chir 1971; 30 (05) 415-420
• 118 Ferguson CC. Management of infants with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. Ann Surg 1970; 172 (04) 750-754
• 119 Holden MP, Wooler GH. Tracheo-oesophageal fistula and oesophageal atresia: results of 30 years' experience. Thorax 1970; 25 (04) 406-412
• 120 Krishinger GL, Woolley MM. Esophageal atresia and tracheo-esophageal fistula. 25 years' experience and current management. Calif Med 1969; 111 (03) 165-168
• 121 Romsdahl MM, Hunter JA, Grove WJ. Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia. Surgical management and results at a university hospital. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1966; 52 (04) 571-578
• 122 Waterston DJ, Carter RE, Aberdeen E. Oesophageal atresia: tracheo-oesophageal fistula. A study of survival in 218 infants. Lancet 1962; 1 (7234): 819-822
• 123 Hays DM. An analysis of the mortality in esophageal atresia. Am J Dis Child 1962; 103: 765-770
• 124 Rehbein F, Yanagiswa F. Complications after operation for oesophageal atresia. Arch Dis Child 1959; 34 (173) 24-29
• 125 Ashe WM, Seybold WD. Congenital atresia of the esophagus with tracheo-esophageal fistula treated by primary esophageal anastomosis; report of eight cases. Proc Staff Meet Mayo Clin 1949; 24 (12) 327-333
• 126 Ladd WE, Swenson O. Esophageal atresia and tracheo-esophageal fistula. Ann Surg 1947; 125 (01) 23-40
• 127 Daniel RA. Congenital atresia of the esophagus: with tracheo-esophageal fistula. Ann Surg 1944; 120 (05) 764-771
• 128 Haight C. Congenital atresia of the esophagus with tracheoesophageal fistula: reconstruction of esophageal continuity by primary anastomosis. Ann Surg 1944; 120 (04) 623-652