Pulmonary Outcome of Esophageal Atresia

Pulmonary Outcome of Esophageal Atresia
Children with esophageal atresia (EA) are now reaching adulthood in large numbers. Many patients, however, continue having functional problems with their respiratory system after the initial postoperative period, and it appears important that follow-up for these children focus not only on gastrointestinal pathologic condition but also on respiratory pathologic condition. There are now several series reporting long-term follow-up in adolescents or young adults after repair of EA ^(1–4), and reviews have been published recently ^(5,6). The objectives of the present review are as follows: to summarize the long-term pulmonary outcome of children with EA, in terms of symptoms and respiratory function, and to focus on the underlying mechanisms contributing to the occurrence of prolonged respiratory complications.


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