Oral Presentation - 2
Alterations in hyolaringeal elevation and anatomy after esophageal anastamosis: A possible mechanism for airway aspiration
Numan Demir 1, Tutku Soyer 2, Selen Serel 1, Şule Yalçın 2, Ayşe Karaduman 1, Feridun Cahit Tanyel 2
1 Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
2 Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Department of Pediatric Surgery
Aim: To evaluate anatomical alterations and hyolaryngeal elevation (HE) by videofleuroscopy (VFS) in patients with EA-TEF. Methods: Patients operated for EA-TEF were evaluated for age, sex, type of atresia and time to esophageal anastamosis. VFS evaluations were performed by the same deglutitionist who was blind to the study. Penetration-aspiration scale (PAS³7 is considered as aspiration), distance between upper esophageal sphincter and 2nd cervical vertebrae (UES-C2) and HE were evaluated. The results of EA-TEF patients were compared with healthy children. Results: Eighteen patients with EA-TEF and 10 healthy controls were included. The median age was 16 months (12-36) in EA-TEF and 18 months (13-51) in controls. Male to female ratio was 5:4 and 4:1 respectively. 66.7% of cases were isolated-EA, 5.65% were EA-proximalTEF and 27.8% were EA-distalTEF. Half of the cases had primary EAN and others underwent delayed esophageal repair. Early oral feeding was also started in 9 patients (50%) whereas others had delayed oral feeding. VFS showed aspiration in 10 cases (55%) and PAS were higher than 7 in 5 cases (27.7%). The median distance between UES-C2 was 3.04 cm (min:2.17-max:3.94) in EA and 4.17 cm (min:3.45-max:6.24 cm) in controls. Median distance for HE was 0.37 cm (min:0.18-max:1.1) in EA and 1.15 (min:0.61-max:1.06 cm) in CG. When measurements of UES-C2 and HE compared with healthy controls, distance between UES-C2 is significantly lower than controls (p<0.05). HE is decreased in EA-TEF without any statistical significance (p>0.05).Conclusion: Children with EA-TEF had shortened distance between airway and upper-esophagus. HE may be inefficient to protect airway during deglutition. Anatomical alterations after esophageal anastomosis suggest that airway problems may be related with shortened HE in children with EA-TEF.