Endoscopic treatment in pediatric patients with recurrent and H-type tracheoesophageal fistulas - A systematic review and meta-analysis

Endoscopic repair of tracheoesophageal fistulas: A contemporary multi-institutional case series and literature review

OBJECTIVES

Recurrent and primary tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEFs) are a challenging surgical pathology to treat, as standard open surgical approaches are associated with high morbidity and mortality. As such, endoscopic modalities have gained interest as an alluring alternative, yet variable success rates have been reported in the literature. The aim of this study was to provide a contemporary update of the literature and describe our institutional experience with the bronchoscopic obliteration of recurrent and primary TEFs.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of all pediatric patients having undergone endoscopic TEF repair at two pediatric academic centers in Montreal, Canada and Lille, France between January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2020.

RESULTS

28 patients with TEFs (20 recurrent, 8 primary) underwent a total of 48 endoscopic procedures. TEF repair was performed under endoscopic guidance using various combinations of techniques, including fistula de-epithelialization (endoscopic brush, thulium laser, trichloroacetic acid-soaked pledgets or electrocautery), tissue adhesives, submucosal augmentation, esophageal clip and stenting. Successful closure was achieved in 16 patients (57 %), while 12 (43 %) required eventual open or thoracoscopic repair. The mean number of endoscopic procedures was 1.7. There were no major treatment-related complications such as pneumothorax, mediastinitis or death (mean follow-up 50.8 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic repair of recurrent or primary TEFs is a valuable component of our therapeutic armamentarium and may contribute to decreased surgical morbidity in this complex patient population. Families should be counselled that endoscopic results may be more modest than with open or thoracoscopic approaches, and multiple procedures may be required.

Diagnosis and Management of Congenital H-Type Tracheoesophageal Fistula: Results of a National Survey

BACKGROUND

Congenital h-type tracheoesophageal fistula (H-TEF) without esophageal atresia (EA) represents about 4% of congenital esophageal anomalies. The diagnosis is challenging, and surgery is considered curative. The aim was to report a national survey on the diagnosis, management, and outcome of patients with congenital H-TEF.

METHODS

Following approval of the Italian Society of Pediatric Surgery, a survey was sent to all Pediatric Surgery Units to retrospectively collect H-TEF treated in the period 2010-2022. Descriptive analysis was performed, and results are given as prevalence, mean ± standard deviation (SD), or median and interquartile range (IQR).

RESULTS

The survey was sent to 65 units. Seventeen responded with one or more cases; 78 patients were diagnosed with H-TEF during the study period. Associated malformations were present in 43%, mostly cardiac (31%). The most frequent symptoms were cough (36%), bronchopneumonia (24%), and dysphagia (19%). H-TEF was detected by tracheobronchoscopy (90%), and/or upper GI (58%), and/or esophagoscopy (32%). The median age at diagnosis was 23 days (1 day-18 years). The most common approach was cervicotomy (76%), followed by thoracoscopy (14%) and thoracotomy (9%). The fistula underwent ligation and section of the fistula in 90% of the patients and clip closure and section in 9%. In one patient, the fistula was cauterized endoscopically. H-TEF preoperative cannulation was performed in 68% of cases, and a drain was placed in 26%. One month after surgery, 13% of the patients had mild persisting symptoms, mainly hypophonia. Recurrence occurred in 5%, and a second recurrence occurred in 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

H-TEF prevalence was six cases/year, consistent with the expected rate of five cases/year in our country. The diagnosis was challenging, sometimes delayed, and, in most patients, required multiple examinations. Fistula ligation and section through cervicotomy were the most frequent treatment. Long-term outcomes are good, and recurrence is a rare event.

Endoscopic Chemocauterization with Trichloroacetic Acid for Congenital or Recurrent Tracheoesophageal Fistula in Children with Esophageal Atresia: Experience from a Tertiary Center

BACKGROUND

Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (rTEF) is a well-known complication after surgery of EA, occurring in roughly 3-10% of the patients. Recent studies have highlighted safety and efficacy of endoscopic management of recurrent TEF. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of chemocauterization with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in rTEF and congenital tracheoesophageal fistula (cTEF).

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of consecutive patients with recurrent or congenital TEF who underwent endoscopic chemo-cauterization between 2018 and 2022 at a tertiary center. Children diagnosed with TEF who underwent primary or secondary endoscopic treatment were included. Median follow up time was 19 months for rTEF and 33 months for cTEF.

RESULTS

During the study period, 18 patients were treated endoscopically by chemocatuerization with TCA at our institution. Treatment of recurrent TEF was successful in 13 of 14 patients (93%) Treatment of congenital TEF was successful in 2 of 4 patients (50%). In 14 patients, closure was seen after 1-2 treatments. There were no serious adverse reactions or complications to the endoscopic treatment of TEF.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic chemocauterization is a minimal invasive technique with low morbidity and high success rate and may be considered as primary treatment for recurrent TEF.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.