摘要
Background:Transanastomotic feeding tube (TAFT) is commonly used for post-operative enteral nutrition after esophageal atresia (EA)/tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) repairs.The purpose of this study is to analyze the therapeutic implications of avoiding a TAFT and its impact on the outcomes post-operatively.Methods:The medical data of 33 inpatients with EA/TEF type C repair from 2009 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.Patients were divided into two groups for comparison based on the usage of TAFT during the repair:TAFT-(without) and TAFT+ (with) groups,without randomization.Both groups were compared statistically for post-operative complications and outcomes.Results:Eighteen neonates were males and 15 females,with an average birth weight of 2.43±0.43 kg and a mean gestational age of 36.15 weeks.Nineteen (57.5%) in the TAFT-group and 14 (42A%) were in the TAFF+ group.The post-operative complications,need for dilatations,duration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and length of hospital stay were similar in both groups.The incidence of pneumonitis was significantly higher in the TAFT+ group.Conclusions:By avoiding a TAFT,there is no increase in complication rates nor does it entail a prolonged period of TPN.Besides,not using a TAFT may have the advantage of reducing incidence of aspiration and consequent pneumonifis.
