Gastric tube esophageal reconstruction in children with esophageal atresia and caustic stricture Study of clinical value based on 25 single-center. Centre experience.

AIM: The aim of this study was estimation of clinical value of gastric tube esophagoplasty in children based on one single center experience.

METHODS: Forty-nine patients with diagnosis of EA (n=22) and caustic esophageal injury (n=27) had undergone reverse gastric tube esophagoplasty during 25 years at our institution. Almost all EA patients received initially gastrostomy and cervical esophagostomy. Majority of CS patients had initially repeated dilatation therapy. Demographics, preoperative features (initial condition, initial treatment and nutritional status) and postoperative features (leakage, stenosis, nutritional status and disease-specific symptoms) were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Mean follow up time was 8.2 years.

RESULTS: Of 49 patients, 2 patients died and gastric tube failed in one patient. The most common complications were anastomotic leak (52%) and anastomotic stricture (47,8%). Disease-specific symptoms (dysphagia and reflux symptoms) with important clinical manifestations were observed in 10.87% of patients. Preoperatively, all patients were eutrophic. One year after operation 96% of patients stayed eutrophic and two EA patients were malnourished.

CONCLUSION: The most common complications such as anastomotic leak and anastomotic stricture may be considered benign. Postoperative nutrition, as good indicator of the procedure's adequacy, for the majority of patients is satisfactory. Gastric tube esophagoplasty is an appropriate alternative for esophageal replacement in children.

KEY WORDS: Children, Gastric tube, Esophagoplasty.