Cocuk Cerrahisi Dergisi, vol.36, no.1, pp.6-10, 2022 (Scopus)
© Cocuk Cerrahisi Dergisi 2022.Objective: Respiratory system problems such as recurrent pulmonary infections, asthma, wheezing and stridor are common in patients with esophageal atresia and/or tracheaesophageal fistula (EA-TEF). We aimed to investigate the respiratory problems and evaluate the affecting factors on respiratory morbidity in patients who underwent EA-TEF repair. Methods: : A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent EA-TEF repair and referred to pediatric pulmonology clinic during January 2016 to December 2019. The patients’ medical history was collected from hospital records. Results: A total of 66 children with repaired EA-TEF were included in the study. The most common respiratory symptom was cough (83.3%) and the most common type of EA was EA type C (45.5%). Accompanying genetic anomalies, severe tracheomalaciatracheobronchomalacia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), male sex, EA type C were found to significantly increased having respiratory system problems (p = 0.033, p = 0.023, p = 0.037, p = 0.043, p = 0.011, respectively). Conclusion: Respiratory system problems are commonly seen in patients with EA-TEF even they had repair surgery. Male sex, EA type C, having tracheomalacia-tracheobronchomalasia, GERD and accompanying genetic syndrome have found that increased risk of respiratory problems in these group. Because of the important additional systems complication including respiratory system seen commonly, regular multidisciplinary approaches are important in patients with EA-TEF.