Diagnosis and treatment of 34 cases of congenital tracheobronchial cartilage remnants of esophagus.

PURPOSE: To describe the diagnosis and treatment of 34 cases of congenital tracheobronchial cartilage remnants of esophagus.

METHODS: The diagnosis and treatment of 34 cases of congenital tracheobronchial cartilage remnants of esophagus were analyzed retrospectively in our hospital.

RESULTS: Congenital tracheobronchial cartilage remnants of esophagus could be specifically diagnosed by clinical situation and esophageal barium meal examination. The anterior wall of the esophagus was cut longitudinally with the posterior wall of the esophagus preserved. And the cartilage was removed and the open anterior wall of the esophagus was sutured horizontally with full layer. In our study, 34 patients who underwent the operation had a satisfactory outcome. However, one patient underwent submucosal cartilage stripping, which resulted in a complication involving fistulae from the esophagus to the abdominal cavity that were healed after gastrostomy and nutritional support.

CONCLUSION: Congenital tracheobronchial cartilage remnants of esophagus caused symptoms when the infants were started on adjunct foods. Vomiting the food without gastric fluid and bile was the leading clinical manifestation. Distinguishing signs on esophageal barium contrast could be used as preoperative diagnosis evidence. Surgically removing the cartilage and horizontally suturing the esophagus provides a reliable outcome.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective study.