Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia repair is surgery to repair two birth defects in your esophagus and trachea. Your esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Your trachea, or windpipe, is the tube that carries air to the lungs.

These defects usually occur together:

• Esophageal atresia is when the upper part of the esophagus does not connect with the lower esophagus and stomach.
• Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a connection between the upper part of the esophagus and the trachea or windpipe.

This surgery is almost always done soon after birth. Surgery is done while the child is in a deep sleep and pain-free from general anesthesia.

Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia can usually be repaired at the same time.

• The surgeon will make a cut on the right side of the chest between the ribs.
• The fistula, which is the abnormal connection between the esophagus and windpipe, is closed off.
• Then the upper and lower portions of the esophagus are sewn together.

If the 2 parts of the esophagus are too far apart, then:

• Only the fistula will be repaired during the first surgery.
• A gastrostomy tube (a tube that goes through the skin into the stomach) may be placed to give your child nutrition.
• Your child will have another surgery later to repair the esophagus.

Sometimes the surgeon will wait 2 - 4 months before doing the surgery. Waiting allows your baby to grow or have other problems treated. If your child's surgery is delayed:

• A gastrostomy tube will be placed. The gastrostomy tube is often placed using numbing medicines (local anesthesia) so that your baby does not feel pain.
• During this time, the doctor may want to widen your baby’s esophagus with a special instrument called a dilator. This will make the future surgery easier.

Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia are life-threatening problems and need treatment right away. If these problems are not treated:

• Your child may breathe saliva and fluids from the stomach into the lungs. This is called aspiration. It can cause choking and pneumonia (lung infection).
• Your child cannot swallow and digest food safely, or at all.