Use of Magnets as a Minimally Invasive Approach for Anastomosis in Esophageal Atresia: Long-Term Outcomes.

Introduction: The majority of esophageal atresia (EA) patients undergo surgical repair soon after birth. However, factors due to patient characteristics, esophageal length, or surgical complications can limit the ability to obtain esophageal continuity. A number of techniques have been described to treat these patients with "long-gap" EA. Magnets are a nonsurgical alternative for esophageal anastomosis. The purpose of this study was to report long-term outcomes for the use of magnets in EA. Materials and Methods: Between July 2001 and December 2017, 13 patients underwent placement of a magnetic catheter-based system under fluoroscopic guidance at six institutions. Daily chest radiographs were obtained until there was union of the magnets. Magnets were then removed and replaced with an oro- or nasogastric tube. Complications and outcomes were recorded. The average length of follow-up was 9.3 years (range 1.42-17.75). Results: A total of 85% of the patients had type A, pure EA, and 15% had type C with previous fistula ligation. The average length of time to achieve anastomosis was 6.3 days (range 3-13). No anastomotic leaks occurred, and all of the patients had an expected esophageal stenosis that required dilation given the 10F coupling surface of the magnets (average 9.8, range 3-22). Six patients (46%) had retrievable esophageal stents, and two underwent surgery; yet all maintained their native esophagus without interposition. A total of 92% were on full oral feeds at the time of follow-up. Conclusion: The use of magnets for treatment of long-gap EA is safe and feasible and accomplished good long-term outcomes. The main complication was esophageal stricture, although all patients maintained their native esophagus. A prospective observational study is currently enrolling patients to evaluate the safety and benefit of a catheter-based magnetic device for EA.

¿Que se trago mi hijo? Urgencias en niños por ingestión de cuerpo extraño. Experiencia de seis años en un hospital pediátrico / What did my son drink? Emergency in children due to ingestion of foreign body. Six-year experience in a pediatric hospital

La ingestión de cuerpo extraño (CE) es la segunda causa de endoscopia de urgencia después de la hemorragia de vías digestivas; es un problema frecuente en la población pediátrica. Los niños pueden ingerir cualquier tipo de objeto, la mayoría de los cuales pueden pasar sin inconvenientes por el tracto gastrointestinal. No obstante, algunos pueden poner en riesgo la vida o acarrear complicaciones

Foreign body ingestion is the second cause of emergency endoscopy after bleeding from the digestive tract; It is a frequent problem in the pediatric population. Children can ingest any type of object, most of which can pass without inconvenience through the gastrointestinal tract; however, some can be life-threatening or complicating