Kluth type I3 and intra-abdominal variants of esophageal atresia: A case series

Abstract

Background: Esophageal atresia (EA) encompasses a group of congenital anomalies (one in 2500 live births) comprising an interruption in the continuity of the esophagus combined with or without a persistent communication with the trachea. It is confirmed by passing no. 10 sterile, blunt‑tipped red rubber catheter into the esophagus, which gets failed to pass beyond 10 cm. Case Series: We describe two male neonates in whom the infant feeding tube could be passed to 18-20 cm in the upper esophageal pouch. A babygram with a blunt-tipped soft red rubber catheter in situ confirmed the esophageal atresia (EA) with the long upper pouch in the first case and EA with obstruction at the gastroesophageal junction in the second one. Conclusion: The importance of recognizing rare Kluth variants of EA is stressed. A low threshold for performing a red rubber catheter test is stressed.

Keywords

• esophageal atresia
• ge junction web
• intra-abdominal
• kluth type i3
• long upper pouch
• variants