Recurrence of Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Abstract

The late appearance of recommunication or recurrence of tracheoesophageal fistula following primary repair is rare. This recurrence is usually manifested early in life. A 14-year-old girl was recently operated upon at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children for a recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula. She has remained asymptomatic since the operation. Recurrent aspiration pneumonia or episodic coughing suggests strongly the presence of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula. The diagnosis can be made by utilizing appropriate roentgenographic techniques. Recurrent tracheoesophageal fis¬ tula or recommunication follow¬ ing the primary repair of congenital esophageal atresia with tracheoesoph¬ ageal fistula is relatively rare.1 These recurrences are usually noted in the immediate postoperative period or early in life.2 In the latter instance, it is manifested clinically as recurrent bouts of aspiration pneumonia. The true incidence of late recurrence or recommunication is not known, and perhaps it is even rarer. There are