Congenital atresia of the oesophagus

Abstract

Experiences elsewhere in well-established Specialist Centres have shown that the management of Congenital Oesophageal Atresia is beset with many problems, including serious post-operative complications , and that this anomaly carries a high mortality (Cozzi & Wilkinson,1975).During january-December 1975, the first year of its existence, the newly-established Paediatric Surgical Unit at Muhimbili Hospital, Dar es Salaam,has had 2 cases of Oesophageal Atresia referred to it from the Neonatal Unit for treatment. The first case(F.N.) was, in spite of the late diagnosis, a total success (the first such success reported at this hospital), and the patient was last seen alive and well at the age of 9 months; the second case also had successful surgery but succumbed on the 11 th postoperative day due to intractable pulmonary complications. The problems faced and experience gained in the management of these cases are discussed.