Predictive factors affecting the prognosis and late complications of 73 consecutive cases of esophageal atresia at 2 centers

While the diagnosis and outcomes of esophageal atresia (EA) have improved, associated anomalies, the management of late complications and growth remain major issues. We analyzed factors that affected the prognosis, late complications and growth. We retrospectively reviewed EA patients treated at two centers from 1984 to 2016. Patient characteristics, complications (gastroesophageal reflux [GER], anastomotic stenosis, tracheomalacia, dysphagia) and growth were evaluated. Seventy-three EA patients were treated (overall survival rate:80.8%). The mean birth weight was 2514 ± 509 g in the surviving group, and 2453 ± 567 g in the fatal group excluded chromosomal abnormality (p = 0.76). Cardiac and chromosomal anomalies significantly affected mortality. Postoperative GER and anastomotic stenosis each occurred in 39% of the patients. Only GER was significantly affected by the Gross classification. The standard deviation (SD) values of the EA patients’ growth were all lower than in the normal population. The SD of body weight was significantly lower in patients with extremity anomalies. Associated cardiac and chromosomal anomalies significantly affected the prognosis. GER and anastomotic stenosis were the most common late complications. The growth of the surviving cases was insufficient. These factors will help optimize the therapeutic strategies and postoperative management for EA.