ABSTRACT

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is one of the most common congenital anomalies presenting for emergency surgical correction in a neonate. The surgical approach is through the right thoracotomy in the lateral decubitus position. The pathology and surgical approach complicate the ventilatory management for this subset of neonates. Several possible causes of ventilatory insufficiency have been reported during the surgical repair in these cases. We report unusual causes of complete ventilatory failure in two patients undergoing TEF repair.

Keywords: Esophageal atresia, infant, respiratory insufficiency, thoracotomy, tracheoesophageal fistula