Anaesthesia for oesophageal atresia with or without tracheo-oesophageal atresia

Abstract

Oesophageal atresia, with or without tracheo-oesophageal fistula, is one of the most challenging conditions with which the anaesthesiologist has to deal during the perioperative period. The patients are usually in their first few days of life, and might be premature with inherent airway problems. This is then compounded by airway and respiratory complications presented by this lesion. These patients often present with a multitude of other congenital anomalies that may have a bearing on the oxygen cascade. With improvements in antibiotic choices, prenatal diagnosis, neonatal intensive care and surgical options, outcomes in this patient group have improved immensely. This manuscript serves to highlight the anaesthetic considerations of these conditions, while also examining recent developments in this patient population.