Bronchoscopy and Fogarty Balloon Insertion of Distal Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula for Oesophageal Atresia Repair with Video Illustration

Background/Purpose: During repair of esophageal atresia with distal tracheo-esophageal fistula, air leakage through the fistula during mechanical ventilation can cause respiratory demise. Methods: From February 2012 until November 2014, all patients with esophageal atresia and distal tracheo-esophageal fistula were subjected to preoperative tracheobronchoscopy. Relatively distal fistulas were cannulated with a Fogarty catheter and blocked by insufflation (video illustration). Relatively proximal distal fistulas were sealed by precise placement of a cuffed ventilation tube. Results: Nine of 12 patients received Fogarty balloon placement. The fistula of the remaining 3 patients were sealed by careful tube placement. No complications related to tracheobronchoscopy or Fogarty placement were noted. All procedures were uneventful. Conclusions: Preoperative tracheobronchoscopy to evaluate the usefulness of Fogarty balloon insertion or correct tube placement for distal tracheo-esophageal fistula is a safe and easy to perform procedure that can avoid complications in type C esophageal atresia repair.