Suture fistula revisited for long gap esophageal atresia

Lessons Learned From the First-In-Human Compassionate Use of Connect-EA™ in Ten Patients With Esophageal Atresia

INTRODUCTION

Delayed primary repair of esophageal atresia in patients with high-risk physiologic and anatomic comorbidities remains a daunting challenge with an increased risk for peri-operative morbidity and mortality via conventional repair. The Connect-EA device facilitates the endoscopic creation of a secure esophageal anastomosis. This follow-up study reports our long-term outcomes with the novel esophageal magnetic compression anastomosis (EMCA) Connect-EA device for EA repair, as well as lessons learned from the ten first-in-human cases. We propose an algorithm to maximize the advantages of the device for EA repair.

METHODS

Under compassionate use approval, from June 2019 to December 2022, ten patients with prohibitive surgical or medical risk factors underwent attempted EMCA with this device. All patients underwent prior gastrostomy, tracheoesophageal fistula ligation (if necessary), and demonstrated pouch apposition prior to EMCA.

RESULTS

Successful device deployment and EMCA formation were achieved in nine patients (90%). Mean time to anastomosis formation was 8 days (range 5-14) and the device was retrieved endoscopically in five (56%) cases. At median follow-up of 22 months (range 4-45), seven patients (78%) are tolerating oral nutrition. Balloon dilations (median 4, range 1-11) were performed either prophylactically for radiographic asymptomatic anastomotic narrowing (n = 7, 78%) or to treat clinically-significant anastomotic narrowing (n = 2, 22%) with no ongoing dilations at 3-month follow up post-repair.

CONCLUSION

EMCA with the Connect-EA device is a safe and feasible minimally-invasive alterative for EA repair in high-risk surgical patients. Promising post-operative outcomes warrant further Phase I investigation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, Case series of novel operative technique without comparison group.

Unintentional Suture Fistula Between the Proximal and Distal Esophagus in a Preterm Neonate with Type C Esophageal Atresia

We present the case of a patient with gross type C esophageal atresia in a preterm neonate (gestational age of 31 weeks + 1 day) with a birth weight of 1,470 g. The fistula was released via a thoracotomy, but no primary anastomosis could be made, due to an unexpected long gap. The distal esophagus was closed and approximated to the blind pouch using traction sutures until an adjacent position was reached. A gastrostomy was created for enteral feeding. Although a second attempt to make an anastomosis was unsuccessful, the patient unexpectedly developed a suture fistula 6 weeks after the first procedure, enabling feeding via a nasogastric tube. Over time, six dilations were necessary. Full enteral feeding was achieved at the age of 6 months. Our case confirms sparse reports that deliberately creating a suture fistula may be a solution in esophageal atresia patients when an unexpected long gap prohibits a primary anastomosis.

The novel application of an emerging device for salvage of primary repair in high-risk complex esophageal atresia

INTRODUCTION

Preservation of native esophagus is a tenet of esophageal atresia (EA) repair. However, techniques for delayed primary anastomosis are severely limited for surgically and medically complex patients at high-risk for operative repair. We report our initial experience with the novel application of the Connect-EA, an esophageal magnetic compression anastomosis device, for salvage of primary repair in 2 high-risk complex EA patients. Compassionate use was approved by the FDA and treating institutions.

OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE

Two approaches using the Connect-EA are described - a totally endoscopic approach and a novel hybrid operative approach. To our knowledge, this is the first successful use of a hybrid operative approach with an esophageal magnetic compression device.

OUTCOMES

Salvage of delayed primary anastomosis was successful in both patients. The totally endoscopic approach significantly reduced operative time and avoided repeat high-risk operation. The hybrid operative approach salvaged delayed primary anastomosis and avoided cervical esophagostomy.

CONCLUSION

The Connect-EA is a novel intervention to achieve delayed primary esophageal repair in complex EA patients with high-risk tissue characteristics and multi-system comorbidities that limit operative repair. We propose a clinical algorithm for use of the totally endoscopic approach and hybrid operative approach for use of the Connect-EA in high-risk complex EA patients.

Novel Device for Endoluminal Esophageal Atresia Repair: First-in-Human Experience

Thoracoscopic esophageal atresia (EA) repair affords many benefits to the patient; however, intracorporeal suturing of the anastomosis is technically challenging. Esophageal magnetic compression anastomosis (EMCA) is a compelling option for endoluminal EA repair, but available EMCA devices have prohibitive rates of recalcitrant stricture. Connect-EA is a new endoluminal EMCA device system that employs 2 magnetic anchors with a unique mating geometry designed to reliably create a robust anastomosis and decrease rates of leak and stricture. We describe our first-in-human experience with this novel endoluminal device for staged EA repair in 3 patients (Gross type A, B, and C) at high risk for conventional surgical repair. First, the esophageal pouches were approximated thoracoscopically. After acute tension subsided, the device anchors were endoscopically placed in the esophageal pouches and mated. Anchors were spontaneously excreted in 2 cases. Endoscopic repositioning and retrieval of the anchors were required in 1 patient because of narrowed esophageal anatomy. There were no perioperative complications. Patients were managed for 14 to 18 months. The strictures that developed in the patients were membranous and responded well to dilation alone, resolving after 4 to 5 outpatient dilations. Gastrostomies were closed between 6 and 11 months and all patients are tolerating full oral nutrition. Early experience with this new endoluminal EMCA device system is highly favorable. The device offers considerable benefit over conventional handsewn esophageal anastomosis and anastomotic outcomes are superior to available EMCA devices.