Clinically Relevant Tracheomalacia after Repair of Esophageal Atresia: the Role of Minimal Intra-Operative Dissection and Timing for Aortopexy

Tracheomalacia is associated with esophageal atresia (EA), but may go unnoticed from external splinting forces. Intra-operative dissection with fistula division releases external splinting, revealing tracheomalacia only post-operatively. Analysis of surgical technique may disclose an iatrogenic etiology.From 1995 - 2004, 44 neonates underwent surgery for EA. All patients underwent pre-, intra- and postoperative bronchoscopy. Operative and...