Esophageal atresia with tracheo-esophageal fistula: Accidental transtracheal gastric intubation

Abstract

The diagnostic feature of esophageal atresia (EA) is the inability to pass a catheter into the stomach. EA can be ruled out if the feeding tube can be passed into the stomach. In EA, when a tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF) is present, theoretically the feeding tube can find its way into the stomach via tracheal route and through the TEF. We report such a rare occurrence. In this situation, the diagnosis and further management of EA and TEF was delayed.

Keywords

• Esophageal atresia
• tracheo-esophageal fistula