Temporary retrograde occlusion of high-flow tracheo-esophageal fistula

Abstract

This report describes a temporary retrograde occlusion technique for control of a high-flow tracheo-esophageal fistula in a critically ill, premature infant born at 29 weeks' gestational age, with a diagnosis of type C (Gross) esophageal atresia and tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). This procedure is a useful bridging maneuver before definitive surgical correction for extremely low birth weight, unstable neonates with tracheo-esophageal fistula who are suffering from associated malformations.