International Journal of Medicine Research

Authors
Ghosh Soumyodhriti, Mujalde Vikram Singh, Shukla Ramendra, Chaturvedi Vinita, Barkondaj Bikramjit

Abstract

Purpose: Proper surgical care with advances in neonatal intensive care support has largely improved the survival of neonates with esophageal atresia and trachea esophageal fistula. The surgery has evolved from staged gastrostomy to the present day single stage primary repair. In our center, feeding has been conventionally initiated after a contrast esophagogram done at the seventh day post repair. The current study tried to assess the benefits and risks of initiation of early feeding in these patients by placement of a Tran’s anastomotic feeding tube during the repair.
Methods: Eight out of twenty patients had a trans anastomotic feeding tube feed inserted during trachea esophageal fistula repair and were followed up for different outcomes.
Results: There was no significant differences in the rates of complications between the two sets of patients. However the incidence of central line infections was lesser in the patients on early feed.

Conclusion: The authors conclude that early tube feeding is safe and does not increase risks of anastomotic leaks. It also reduces the need of total parenteral nutrition bringing down the costs of procedure in developing nations.