You should suspect tracheoesophageal fistula when a newborn has feeding difficulties, signs of aspiration such as choking, coughing or cyanosis, respiratory distress or blueish colored skin during or after feeding.
The way you fix a tracheoesophageal fistula is through surgery which closes the abnormal connection between the trachea and the esophagus.
The procedure to fix tracheoesophageal fistula can be done using traditional or minimally invasive techniques.
To perform the surgical procedure to fix the tracheoesophageal fistula the patient will be anesthetized and then an incision will be made in the neck or the back, depending on the location of the TEF.
The fistula is then divided and closes the connection between the esophagus and the trachea.
The upper and the lower portions of the esophagus are then sewn together if possible and the windpipe is then repaired.
Full recovery from the tracheoesophageal fistula can take up to 12 weeks.
The survival rate for a tracheoesophageal fistula is between 90 to 95 percent and can go as high as 100 percent if treated promptly.
Prompt surgical treatment for tracheoesophageal fistula is crucial in preventing aspiration and other life threatening complications.
Tracheoesophageal fistula is life threatening especially in infants and if left untreated the tracheoesophageal fistula can cause aspiration or breathing in saliva or stomach fluids into your lungs which can cause choking, pneumonia and other serious respiratory complications.
Tracheoesophageal fistula is rare but also a significant congenital anomaly that affects around 1 in 3,000 to 5,000 babies born.
While it's not extremely common, it's also a notable condition in pediatric surgery and also requires prompt medical attention due to it's potential for complications that can be life threatening.
The causes of tracheoesophageal fistula is when the wall which separates the esophagus and the trachea does not form properly before birth and can be caused by a genetic component or it can also be caused by other unknown factors.
During pregnancy the trachea and the esophagus develop as separate tubes although a wall forms between them around 4 to 8 weeks after conception and if this wall does not form properly then tracheoesophageal fistula can occur.
Genetics can also play a role in tracheoesophageal fistula developing such as a result of mutations in certain genes like FANCG, FANCC and FANCA.
Surgery can also cause tracheoesophageal fistulas as a result of damage done to the esophagus.
The signs and symptoms of tracheoesophageal fistula include choking or coughing with taking a bottle or nursing, frothing or drooling from the mouth, vomiting and difficulty breathing while feeding and blue tinged skin while feeding.
Tracheoesophageal fistula is sometimes genetic although the exact cause is not fully known in most cases.
Genetics can play a role in the development of tracheoesophageal fistula which is a rare congenital anomaly which occurs when the esophagus and the trachea do not separate as they should during development.
The isolated EA/TEF is considered to be a multifactorial condition, which means that multiple gene variations and environmental factors likely contribute to the occurrence of EA/TEF.
If a fistula is left untreated the untreated fistula can lead to serious complications which include chronic infections, sepsis, abscesses and in some cases cancer.
An untreated fistula can cause chronic infection which may seem to go away but return and while rarely life threatening fistulas can also lead to serious complications such as bowel incontinence.
Untreated fistulas can also cause perforation and peritonitis and drainage.
Fistula surgery in most cases is not major surgery and is often a minor outpatient surgery.
Fistula surgery can be simple or even complex and depend on the location and type of fistula you have.
Fistula surgery is also known as a fistulotomy and is a very common surgical procedure that involves opening the fistula and draining it.
A fistulectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of an abnormal growth or fistula.
And a laparoscopic technique is a minimally invasive approach which uses small incisions and slender instruments.
The risks of fistula surgery include infection and recurrence of the fistula and you can also expect to have some discomfort after the fistula surgery which can include bleeding and pain when you first have a bowel movement.
After the fistula surgery you may also need to use a urinary catheter for a short time and your doctor may also prescribe some stool softeners.
A fistula is an emergency when the fistula causes severe complications such as uncontrolled bleeding, sepsis or even significant changes in your bowel movements and bowel habits.
Also if the fistula is accompanied by chills, pus drainage, pain or fever it becomes an emergency and you should get to the ER.
If you have a fistula and especially if it's an arteriovenous fistula that is used for dialysis and it begins bleeding profusely then it's always a medical emergency that requires immediate attention as it can lead to significant and life threatening blood loss and a potential for fainting and even death.
If a fistula becomes infected and causes sepsis it requires immediate medical attention as sepsis is a life threatening condition where your body's response to infection damages it's own tissues and organs.
Symptoms of sepsis are high fever, rapid heart rate, chills and confusion and difficulty breathing.
If you notice any signs of infection around your fistula like pus drainage, warmth, redness or swelling or also have fever or chills you need to seek medical attention promptly.
Or if you have a fistula that is in your gastrointestinal tract and also experience any significant changes in your bowel movements and such as severe diarrhea, leakage of any fluid from an opening on your abdomen or near your anus or have any trouble controlling your bowels you should seek medical attention.
You can get rid of some types of fistulas without surgery although more serious fistulas often require surgery to treat.
Most fistulas are often treated with surgery although some types of fistulas may heal on their own and other treatments for fistulas include medications and antibiotics.