Routine Fogarty Catheter Occlusion of Fistula in Esophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Objective: We aimed to analyze the outcomes of patients who underwent surgical repair of congenital esophageal atresia (EA) with a distal tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) or a Gross type C with successful routine Fogarty catheter occlusion of TEF. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent surgical repair of Gross type C with successful routine Fogarty catheter occlusion of fistula between April 2010 and November 2016. Results: Nineteen patients were enrolled and included for analysis. Mean gestational age was 38.7 (1.9) weeks with 2 (10.5%) neonates born prematurely. Mean birthweight was 2569.3 (425.3) g. Five (26.3%) patients required mechanical ventilation (MV) before surgical repair of TEF. Median post-operative required MV after TEF surgery was 4 (3-6) days. The most common of post-operative complications were wound dehiscence (10.5%) and pneumothorax (10.5%). Long-term complications were gastroesophageal reflux disease (36.8%) and tracheomalacia (31.6%). Conclusion: The success rate of routine TEF occlusion with a Fogarty catheter was 86.4%. Routine Fogarty catheter occlusion of TEF can be used safely with experienced personnel, low incidence of aspiration and satisfied ventilation. There was no serious complication associated with placement of Fogarty catheter or catheter dislodgement, and it did not occur during any of the procedures.