Udaipur, A baby boy, weighing only 1.8 kgs, born at 36 weeks of gestation, had choking, cyanosis, and seizures after the first feeding, 2 hours after birth. A tracheoesophageal fistula was identified in the infant and was surgically corrected by pediatric surgeon of Geetanjali Medical College & Hospital Dr. Atul Mishra. The operating team also includes Anesthetist Dr. Karuna and Dr. Anil, Pediatrician Dr. Subhash Bamnawat and Dr. Hartesh, OT Staff Nitin, Komal, Narenda and Noorjahan & nursing staff. The Tracheo Esophageal Fistula was also associated with other congenital anomalies namely anorectal malformation, which was again surgically corrected by the treating doctors.

Baby of Sumitra, due to problems in taking feed & cyanosis was rushed to Geetanjali Hospital. On consultation & investigations of Chest X-Ray it was found that the esophagus was not developed properly and was opening in trachea. This disease is called as Tracheo Esophageal Fistula (TEF). The TE fistula was then repaired & the connection between the esophagus and the trachea was closed in surgery which lasted for more than three hours. The baby was found to have a low birth weight of mere 1.8 kgs, but now the tiny toddle is recovering well and will grow like normal babies.

What is Tracheo Esophageal Fistula (TEF)?

“Tracheoesophageal fistula is an abnormal connection in one or more places between the esophagus (the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach) and the trachea (the tube that leads from the throat to the windpipe and lungs). Normally, the esophagus and the trachea are two separate tubes that are not connected”, quoted Dr. Mishra. This disease is associated with symptoms of frothy, white bubbles in the mouth, coughing or choking, frequent pneumonia, vomiting, difficulty in breathing etc. which need immediate intervention otherwise it may lead to high & sudden mortality, said the treating pediatric surgeon.

“I have treated five neonates of tracheo esophageal fistula & they have been found healthy on follow-up”, said Dr. Atul Mishra. He also said that to perform such surgeries it requires experienced & skilled pediatric surgeon, fully equipped NICU & modular operation theatre, which has been available with Udaipur’s Geetanjali Hospital. Out of every three-four thousand babies only 1 have a complex & rare disease like this.