Impact of congenital heart disease on outcomes after primary repair of esophageal atresia: a retrospective observational study using a nationwide database in Japan

Surgical and postoperative management of congenital heart disease: a systematic review of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Congenital heart disease (CHD) remains a critical concern in pediatric and adult cardiovascular care, requiring continuous advancements in surgical techniques and perioperative strategies. While survival rates have improved, challenges persist in optimizing long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes, addressing disparities in healthcare access, and overcoming systemic barriers to implementing best practices. This systematic review integrates recent evidence on predictive factors, perioperative innovations, and economic challenges affecting CHD management.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted, analyzing data from 27 observational studies, including retrospective and prospective cohort studies, as well as case reports, sourced from diverse geographic and clinical settings. Studies were selected based on strict inclusion criteria, emphasizing clear surgical outcomes, perioperative advancements, and neurodevelopmental follow-up. Data were extracted and synthesized to identify key trends in CHD surgery, anesthetic management, and long-term patient care.

RESULTS

Key findings include: • Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: Long-term follow-up studies identified associations between prolonged ICU stays, intraoperative cerebral oxygenation deficits, and developmental delays. Hearing loss was reported in 21.6% of post-surgical patients, significantly impacting cognitive and language abilities. • Predictive Factors for Postoperative Outcomes: Hemoglobin saturation, lactate levels, and platelet counts were statistically associated with adverse postoperative outcomes (p < 0.05), reinforcing the need for preoperative risk stratification. • Fast-Track Extubation and Resource Optimization: Early extubation protocols reduced ICU stays by an average of 20%, with a 15% decrease in postoperative complications. However, financial disincentives and inadequate reimbursement models limited their widespread adoption, particularly in low-resource settings. • Tailored Anesthetic Techniques: Individualized anesthesia strategies, including neuroprotective approaches and blood conservation techniques, improved outcomes in high-risk CHD populations, reducing complication rates by up to 10%. • Global Disparities in CHD Care: Studies from low-income countries revealed significantly higher rates of malnutrition, delayed surgical interventions, and postoperative complications. These disparities highlight the urgent need for global policy reforms to improve healthcare equity in CHD management.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the necessity of integrating predictive analytics, multidisciplinary approaches, and healthcare system reforms to enhance CHD management. While advancements in surgical techniques and perioperative care yield promising outcomes, persistent challenges-including healthcare disparities, financial constraints, and long-term neurodevelopmental risks-require targeted interventions. Future research should focus on personalized care models, global health policy adjustments, and innovative technologies to optimize CHD patient outcomes.

Are Low Weight or Cardiopathy Contraindications for Thoracoscopic Repair of Esophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula?

BACKGROUND

 Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is becoming an increasingly widespread technique; there is still controversy about its indication in certain patients. Our objective is to analyze if potential risk factors such as major congenital heart disease (CHD) or low birth weight (LBW) are a limitation to this approach.

METHODS

 Retrospective study (2017-2021) of patients with EA and distal TEF who underwent thoracoscopic repair were included. Patients with LBW less than 2,000 g or major CHD were compared with the rest.

RESULTS

 Twenty-five patients underwent thoracoscopic surgery. Nine patients (36%) had major CHD. Five of them (20%) were LBW less than 2,000 g, and only 8% (2/25) presented both risk factors. There were no differences in terms of operative time, conversion rate, tolerance evaluated with gasometric parameters (pO2, pCO2, pH) or complications (anastomotic leak and stricture, both early or during follow-up) in patients with major CHD and LBW (1,473 ± 319 vs. 2,664 ± 402 g). One conversion to thoracotomy was performed in a neonate weighing 1,050 g due to anesthetic intolerance. There was no recurrence of TEF. One patient died at the age of 9 months, due to major uncorrectable heart disease.

CONCLUSION

 Thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF is feasible technique in patients with CHD or LBW, with similar results to other patients. The complexity of this technique warrants individualizing the indication in each case.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

 IV.

Treatment courses and outcomes of oesophageal atresia in patients with trisomy 18: a case series of 271 patients from a nationwide database in Japan

OBJECTIVE

To describe characteristics, treatments and clinical outcomes of patients with trisomy 18 and oesophageal atresia, using a nationwide database in Japan.

DESIGN

Descriptive study using a retrospective cohort.

SETTING

A nationwide inpatient database including 90% of hospitals with neonatal intensive care units in Japan.

PATIENTS

Patients hospitalised within a day after birth for both oesophageal atresia and trisomy 18 between July 2010 and March 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

Radical surgery for oesophageal atresia.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Characteristics, treatment course and outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 271 patients with both oesophageal atresia and trisomy 18, 70 patients underwent radical surgery for oesophageal atresia. Patients who underwent radical surgery were less likely to have severe cardiac anomalies (17% vs 32%; p=0.020), but more likely to undergo cardiac surgery (21% vs 9.5%; p=0.012) than those who did not. The overall in-hospital mortality was lower (54% vs 79%; p<0.001) and the median age at death was higher (210 days vs 39 days; p<0.001) in patients who underwent radical surgery than the others. Postoperative mortality within 30 days after radical surgery was 5.7%. Patients who underwent radical surgery were likely to be discharged to home (50% vs 18%; p<0.001), whereas the age at home discharge (median 314 days vs 216 days; p=0.19) and the requirement for each home treatment did not differ significantly by radical surgery.

CONCLUSION

This study provides information that will aid the clinical decision-making process for patients with oesophageal atresia and trisomy 18. Radical surgery may be a safe and feasible treatment option.

Ductal stenting with bilateral pulmonary artery banding as a life-saving management for hypoplastic left heart syndrome with congenital esophageal atresia: A case series

We present three cases of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) complicated by congenital esophageal atresia and trachea-esophageal fistula (EA/TEF). The standard treatment for HLHS involves a staged surgical approach, eventually reaching Fontan completion. There is no report of patients with both HLHS and EA/TEF, and no established treatment strategy exists for such cases. Given the significant risk of simultaneously operating on HLHS and EA/TEF, we elected to pursue staged repair for each condition separately. Initially, soon after birth, we performed gastrostomy to secure the nutritional pathway for EA/TEF and stabilize breathing. Subsequently, we conducted bilateral pulmonary artery banding (bil-PAB) and ductal stenting for HLHS, as the Norwood operation carried an unacceptably high risk in these patients. Two of these patients were able to transition to home care, while the other patient died during hospitalization due to complications after EA repair. A combination of bil-PAB with ductal stenting for HLHS and staged repair for EA/TEF may provide effective management for patients with both conditions.

Learning objective

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and congenital esophageal atresia (EA) are both life-threatening conditions that require early intervention after birth. There are few reports of patients with both conditions, and no treatment strategy is established. Although the procedure carries a high risk, we successfully performed ductal stenting with bilateral pulmonary artery banding for HLHS, as well as staged repair procedures for EA. Our approach may be a viable strategy for these conditions.

Anastomotic leaks and the relationship with anastomotic strictures after esophageal atresia surgery; effects of patient characteristics

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the link between anastomotic leaks (AL) and anastomotic strictures (AS) after esophageal atresia surgery and the influence of patient demographics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinical data of neonates who underwent surgical repair for esophageal atresia were retrospectively reviewed. The results of AL treatment and the relationship with AS, also the effects of patient characteristics were examined with logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Primary repair was performed on 122 of 125 patients who underwent surgery for esophageal atresia. AL occurred in 25 patients and 21 were treated non-operatively. While 4 patients were re-operated, AL recurred in 3 and led to the death of one. There was no correlation between the development of AL and sex or the presence of additional anomalies. The gestational age and birth weight of patients with AL were significantly higher than those of patients without. AS developed in 45 patients. The mean gestational age was significantly higher in patients who developed AS (p < .001). While the development of AS was significantly higher in patients with AL (p = .001), the number of dilatation sessions needed was also significantly higher in these patients (p = .026). Complications related to anastomosis were less common in patients whose gestational age was ≤33 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Non-operative treatment remains effective for AL after esophageal atresia surgery. AL increases the risk of developing AS and significantly increases the number of dilatation sessions needed. Anastomotic complications are less common in patients with lower gestational age.NOVEL ASPECTSGestational age and birth weight were found to be significantly higher in patients with anastomotic leaks than in those without and fewer anastomotic complications were encountered in patients whose gestational age was ≤ 33 weeks.Anastomotic stricture development was significantly higher in patients with anastomotic leaks and the number of dilatation sessions needed for treatment was also significantly higher in these patients.

Risk factors for postoperative anastomotic leakage after repair of esophageal atresia: a retrospective nationwide database study

PURPOSE

Postoperative anastomotic leakage is the most frequent short-term complication of esophageal atresia repair in neonates. We conducted this study using a nationwide surgical database in Japan to identify the risk factors for anastomotic leakage in neonates undergoing esophageal atresia repair.

METHODS

Neonates diagnosed with esophageal atresia between 2015 and 2019 were identified in the National Clinical Database. Postoperative anastomotic leakage was compared among patients to identify the potential risk factors, using univariate analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis included sex, gestational age, thoracoscopic repair, staged repair, and procedure time as independent variables.

RESULTS

We identified 667 patients, with an overall leakage incidence of 7.8% (n = 52). Anastomotic leakage was more likely in patients who underwent staged repairs than in those who did not (21.2% vs. 5.2%, respectively) and in patients with a procedure time > 3.5 h than in those with a procedure time < 3.5 h (12.6% vs. 3.0%, respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified staged repair (odds ratio [OR] 4.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.22-10.16, p < 0.001) and a longer procedure time (OR 4.65, 95% CI 2.38-9.95, p < 0.001) as risk factors associated with postoperative leakage.

CONCLUSION

Staged procedures and long operative times are associated with postoperative anastomotic leakage, suggesting that leakage is more likely after complex esophageal atresia repair and that such patients require refined treatment strategies.

Risk factors for adverse outcomes following surgical repair of esophageal atresia. A retrospective cohort study

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a life-threatening congenital malformation of the esophagus. Despite considerable recent advances in perinatal resuscitation and neonatal care, EA remains an important cause of mortality and morbidity, especially in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for adverse outcomes following surgical repair of EA at a single center in Tunisia. We performed a retrospective analysis using medical records of neonates with surgical management of EA at our institution from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2021. In total, 88 neonates were included with a mortality rate of 25%. There were 29 girls and 59 boys. The diagnosis of EA was suspected prenatally in 19 patients. The most common associated anomalies were congenital heart diseases. Prematurity, low birth weight, outborn birth, age at admission >12 hours, congenital heart disease, postoperative sepsis, and anastomotic leak were risk factors for mortality following surgical repair of EA. Anastomotic tension was the only factor associated with short-term complications and the occurrence of short-term complications was predictive of mid-term complications. This study provides physicians and families with contemporary information regarding risk factors for adverse outcomes following surgical repair of EA. Thus, any effort to reduce these risk factors would be critical to improving patient outcomes and reducing cost. Future multi-institutional studies are needed to identify, investigate, and establish best practices and clinical care guidelines for neonates with EA.

Peri- and neonatal factors influencing mortality and morbidity 2 years after esophageal atresia primary repair: a single center retrospective study

Long-term digestive, respiratory, and neurological morbidity is significant in children who have undergone surgery for esophageal atresia (EA), especially after staged repair for long-gap EA. Risk factors for morbidity after primary repair (non-long-gap populations) have been less documented. We investigated peri- and neonatal factors associated with unfavorable outcomes in children 2 years after primary esophageal anastomosis. This was a single-center retrospective study, based on neonatal, surgical, and pediatric records of children born between December 1, 2002, and December 31, 2018, and followed up to age 2 years. The primary endpoint was unfavorable outcome at 2 years of age, defined by death or survival with severe respiratory, digestive, or neurologic morbidity. Univariate analyses followed by logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the peri- and neonatal risk factors of unfavorable outcomes among survivors at discharge. A total of 150 neonates were included (mean birth weight 2520 ± 718 g, associated malformations 61%); at age 2, 45 (30%) had one or more severe morbidities and 11 had died during the neonatal stay and 2 after discharge (8.7% deaths). In multivariate analyses of the 139 survivors at discharge, duration of ventilatory support (invasive and non-invasive) for more than 8 days (OR 3.74; CI95% [1.68-8.60]; p = 0.001) and achievement of full oral feeding before hospital discharge (OR 0.20; CI95% [0.06-0.56]; p = 0.003) were independently associated with adverse outcome after adjustment for sex, preterm birth, associated heart defect, any surgical complication, and the occurrence of more than one nosocomial infections during the neonatal stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-operative ventilation and feeding management strategies may represent an opportunity for quality-of-care improvement to positively impact long-term outcomes after primary esophageal atresia repair.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Children operated on for esophageal atresia experience long-term digestive, respiratory, and neurologic morbidity, especially after multiple-stage esophageal repair. • Exclusive oral feeding at discharge is associated with a decreased risk of medical complications in the first years of life, in studies including all types of esophageal atresia repair. Outcomes of children after primary repair (non-long gap populations) have been less documented.

WHAT IS NEW

• In our retrospective cohort of children with one-stage esophageal atresia repair, ventilatory support for more than 8 days and inability to achieve full oral feeding before hospital discharge in the neonatal period were independently associated with adverse digestive, respiratory, and neurologic outcomes at 2 years in survivors. • Both these factors are potentially modifiable, representing an opportunity for quality-of-care improvement to positively impact long-term outcomes. These results might also help identify children at risk of unfavorable evolution, to customize a multi-disciplinary follow-up program.

Developing a new predictive index for anastomotic leak following the anastomosis of esophageal atresia: preliminary results from a single centre

Background

The aim of this study was to determine a predictive index for the risk of anastomotic leak following esophageal atresia anastomosis,

Methods

This article reviewed the clinical data of 74 children with esophageal atresia in Fujian Children's hospital. The risk factors for anastomotic leak were analysed, and a new predictive index was proposed.

Results

The incidence of anastomotic leak was 29.7% after anastomosis in 74 children with esophageal atresia. Birth weight and gap length were risk factors for anastomotic leak. Logistic regression analysis showed that birth weight (Wald 2 = 4.528, P = 0.033, OR = 0.273) was a protective factor for anastomotic leak, whereas gap length (Wald 2 = 7.057, P = 0.008, OR = 2.388) was a risk factor for anastomotic leak. The ratio of gap length to birth weight had a positive predictive effect on the occurrence of anastomotic leak (AUC = 0.732, P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Birth weight and gap length are important predictors of anastomotic leak in esophageal atresia. Measurement of the ratio of gap length to birth weight is a helpful predictive index for anastomotic leak following the anastomosis of esophageal atresia.

Is thoracoscopic esophageal atresia repair safe in the presence of cardiac anomalies?

BACKGROUND

Esophageal atresia (EA) is often associated with congenital heart disease (CHD). Repair of EA by the thoracoscopic approach places physiological stress on a newborn with CHD. This paper reviews the outcomes of infants with CHD who had undergone thoracoscopic EA repair, comparing their outcomes to those without CHD.

METHODS

This was a review of infants who underwent thoracoscopic EA repair from 2009 to 2017 at one institution. Operative time and outcomes were analyzed in relation to CHD status.

RESULTS

Twenty five infants underwent thoracoscopic EA repair during the study period. Seventeen (68%) had associated anomalies of whom 9 (36%) had cardiac anomalies. The mean operative time was 217 min. There was no difference in operative time between CHD and non-CHD cases (estimate 20 min longer operative time in the presence of a cardiac anomaly [95% CI -20 to 57]). Two cases were converted to open thoracotomy; both were non-CHD. There was no difference in the time to feeding, time in intensive care unit or time in hospital between CHD and non-CHD cases. Five patients developed an anastomotic leak (two CHD and three non-CHD) of which two were clinical; all were managed conservatively. There was no case of recurrent fistula.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study did not find evidence that thoracoscopic EA repair compromised outcomes in children with congenital heart disease. A prospective multicenter study with long-term follow-up is recommended to confirm whether thoracoscopic repair in CHD is truly equivalent to the open operation.

TYPE OF STUDY

Therapeutic.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.