Hk. Dutta et al., Cineradiographic evaluation of postoperative patients with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, PEDIAT SURG, 16(5-6), 2000, pp. 322-325
Esophageal dysmotility is a common occurrence after successful repair of es
ophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). The etiology of
this motility disorder, however, remains controversial. Cine-barium esophag
ograms were performed in 25 survivors of EA/TEF at a mean age of 30.5 month
s. A clinical evaluation was done at the same time and the results were cla
ssified as "excellent", "good", and "fair". The study revealed that 88% of
patients had dysmotile esophageal segments and segmental contractions. Norm
al peristalsis was seen in only 16% of patients and 64% showed to-and-fro m
ovements. The bolus transit time was delayed in 60%. The clinical status of
these patients correlated well with the cineradiographic findings. Thus, a
bnormal motility of the esophagus, which may be inherent, exists in postope
rative survivors of EA/TEF and may be responsible for the clinical status o
f these patients.