Esophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital malformation that affects the normal esophageal development. Surgical treatment, although restoring the integrity of the alimentary tract, may lead to long-term sequelae-like developmental abnormalities and musculoskeletal deformities. We evaluated the effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on the recovery of the range of the right upper limb movement and on the rise of the auxological parameters. A case series of five children affected by type C EA were described. Six OMT sessions were performed over a 4-month period. At each treatment, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and range of motion (ROM) in elevation of the right upper limb were assessed. OMT was applied to improve scar, larynx, rib cage, and sternum mobility. An average change of 2.3 cm in height and an average increase of 8° in the ROM of the upper limb in the period of study were detected. Additionally, OMT could improve the anthropometric data and the mobility of the right upper limb of children surgically treated for EA. Further studies that evaluate the effectiveness of OMT in post surgical treatment of congenital malformations of the thorax can be considered in the future.

Background and purpose of the study: Esophageal atresia (AE) is a congenital anomaly that affects the normal development of the esophagus in neonates. The timely surgical approach allows its resolution, but long-term morbidities in adolescents show neurological developmental abnormalities and musculoskeletal deformities. The goal in this preliminary study is to investigate the recovery of the range of the right upper limb movement and on the rise of the anthropometric parameters through the osteopathic manipulative treatment, which, by acting on the connective system has a trophotropic effect documented. Materials and Methods: 5 children with type III AE were included in the study. 6 OMTs were performed in 4 months. At each treatment, the following were assessed height, weight, BMI and ROM in elevation of the right upper limb. OMT has been applied to improve scar, larynx, rib cage, and sternum mobility. Results: in the statural growth there was an average change of 2.3 cm in 4 months and in the ROM of the upper limb there was an average increase of 8° in 4 months. There were no significant changes in weight and BMI. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that it is a viable option to be further researched. In addition, the study provides potentially valuable evidence that the osteopathic manipulative treatment could benefit the increase in anthropometric parameters and the mobility of the right upper limb of children operated on for AE. In light of the results, new studies to evaluate the effectiveness of OMT in post surgical treatment of congenital malformations of the thorax can be considered in the future.