Esophageal Atresia Treatment in Israel

Professor Moshe (Erwin) Santo

Head of the Institute for the Treatment of Digestive System and Liver Diseases

Esophageal atresia is a severe developmental anomaly of the esophagus in newborns. In this anomaly, the esophagus is divided into two non-communicating parts.

The condition is often complicated by the presence of a tracheoesophageal fistula. As a result, the child cannot take food orally, and food entering the trachea can aspirate into the lungs, leading to respiratory insufficiency, exhaustion, etc.

The Top Ihilov Clinic offers comprehensive diagnostics and treatment using minimally invasive methods for esophageal atresia. There is no conservative treatment method for this condition, but a unique minimally invasive (laparoscopic) treatment method yields positive results in most cases. The actions of the qualified medical staff at the clinic, including surgeons, are primarily aimed at preserving the natural esophagus. Only when it is impossible to perform this operation is esophageal reconstruction carried out using donor material.

5000

foreign patients receive treatment at the Top Ihilov Clinic annually

82%

successful cases of treatment using conservative methods

1230

procedures using the modern "da Vinci" system

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Esophageal Atresia Treatment at the Top Ihilov Clinic

Surgical treatment is performed in two stages:

1. Elimination and suturing of the tracheoesophageal fistula, placement of a gastrostomy. At this stage, the ability to feed the child enterally (through the gastrostomy) is restored, and proper and full breathing is restored.
2. After three months of life, correction of the esophageal defect is performed. An anastomosis between the distal and proximal parts of the esophagus is created through two accesses: the abdominal cavity and the thoracic cavity (when the gap between the sections is up to one and a half centimeters). If the distance exceeds one and a half centimeters, a direct anastomosis is not indicated. In this case, either esophageal reconstruction is performed, or the sections of the esophagus are "stretched" towards each other. Subsequently, the stumps are sutured using a minimally invasive method, and the lumen of the esophagus is restored.

Advantages of Esophageal Atresia Treatment at the Top Ihilov Clinic

The uniqueness of the operations performed at the Top Ihilov Clinic lies in the fact that the surgical intervention is carried out using a laparoscopic method, without laparotomy or thoracotomy. The access for the operation consists of small incisions through which optical and surgical instruments are introduced.

At the Top Ihilov Clinic, experienced and trustworthy doctors from various specialties are involved in the treatment of esophageal atresia: pediatric surgery, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric intensive care, and medical imaging departments. The operations are performed by the best specialists, heads of departments, and esteemed surgeons.