Use of 'Gore-Tex surgical membrane' to minimize surgical adhesions in multistaged extrathoracic esophageal elongation for esophageal atresia

The procedure of choice in the surgical correction of "long gap" esophageal atresia should, when possible, preserve the native esophagus. We present a modification of "the multistaged extrathoracic esophageal elongation metho d," designed to facilitate esophageal elongation and use of a Gore-Tex (W.L . Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) surgical membrane to minimize surgica l adhesions. We used this technique to successfully treat a 1-kg infant, wi th type A esophageal atresia, associated aortic coartation, and severe necr otizing enterocolitis with multiple perforations. Multi staged extrathoraci c esophageal elongation was begun at the age of 9 months and concluded at 1 7 months. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.