EN
TÜRKÇE
Poster - 60
Long-Term Outcomes of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients Operated for Esophageal Atresia: A 15-Year Single-Center Experience
Bilge Başaran, Vildan Selin Çayhan, Süleyman Arif Bostancı, Elif Emel Erten, Ahmet Ertürk, Can İhsan Öztorun, Müjdem Nur Azılı, Emrah Şenel
Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the incidence, clinical course, and treatment outcomes of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a major contributor to long-term morbidity, in patients who underwent surgical treatment for esophageal atresia(EA).
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 125 patients who underwent surgery for EA at our center between January 2010 and May 2025. Forty-seven patients died within the first six months due to other causes; four patients died during follow-up, and two were lost to follow-up. Ultimately, 76 patients were eligible for GERD evaluation. All patients received standard medical anti-reflux therapy during the first year of life.
Results: GERD was detected in 23 of 76 evaluated patients after the age of one. Additionally, four patients underwent Nissen fundoplication before the age of one due to recurrent aspiration pneumonia and swallowing dysfunction, and one patient received simultaneous anti-reflux surgery during a gastric pull-up performed as part of the esophageal repair. In total, 12 patients (15.8%) underwent antireflux surgery, while GERD resolved clinically with extended medical therapy in 16 patients (21.1%). Two of the operated patients required reoperation due to persistent symptoms and radiologic findings. Of the 12 patients who underwent surgery, 4 had Type A, 1 had Type B, and 7 had Type C EA. Among the six surviving patients with Type A, four required surgical intervention. The surgical rate was significantly higher in Type A patients (p<0.05). Nine operated patients had required esophageal dilatation preoperatively. Two patients had experienced frequent pulmonary infections and severe reflux symptoms prior to surgery.
Conclusion: GERD is among the most common long-term complications following EA repair. The need for surgical intervention is significantly higher in patients with Type A EA. Early diagnosis and individualized treatment strategies may improve long-term outcomes.