Oesophageal atresia (EA) is a rare congenital anomaly whose prevalence varies between 1 and 2 per 5000 live births in Europe. This condition is characterised by an interruption of the oesophagus often associated with the presence of a tracheo-oesophageal fistula (FTE). Although considerable progress has been made in the treatment of AE in recent years, the aetiology of this defect is still not fully understood and several theories have been put forward to explain this phenomenon. What they have in common is an abnormal separation of the primary oesophagus and trachea. The main goal of AE treatment is the closure of the FTE using surgical techniques. This is a non-profit, multicentre longitudinal observational cohort study. This study will enrol patients who underwent surgery for oesophageal atresia during the period 2011-2021 and are still in follow-up at participating clinical centres. The primary objective is to assess the incidence of musculoskeletal abnormalities, of any type, in the long term (4 years after surgery) in patients with oesophageal atresia treated surgically by two different approaches: postero-lateral thoracotomy and mini-thoracotomy with muscle preservation
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
50
this incision extends from the anterior axillary line, goes posteriorly behind the scapula and includes the division of the fibres of the latissimus dorsi muscle and the serratus anterior muscle. The latter approach presents the risk of numerous long-term musculoskeletal complications such as costal abnormalities (costal hypoplasia, costal fusion), winged scapula, scoliotic spine posture
Minithoracotomy aims to preserve the muscles of the rib cage by retracting or disconnecting them rather than sectioning them (muscle sparing technique)
Spedali Civili di Brescia
Brescia, Italy
RECRUITINGMeyer Children's Hospital IRCCS
Florence, Italy
RECRUITINGOspedale Bambino Gesù di Roma
Roma, Italy
RECRUITINGincidence of musculoskeletal abnormalities patients with oesophageal atresia treated surgically
evaluate the incidence of musculoskeletal abnormalities, of all types, in the long term (4 years after surgery) in patients with oesophageal atresia treated surgically using two different approaches: postero-lateral thoracotomy and mini-thoracotomy with muscle preservation.
Time frame: Four years after the beginning of the study
incidence of musculoskeletal abnormalities in the short term
assess the incidence of musculoskeletal abnormalities in the short term (6 months after surgery);
Time frame: Six months after surgery
incidence of musculoskeletal abnormalities in the medium term
to assess the incidence of musculo-skeletal abnormalities in the medium term (24 months after surgery);
Time frame: Twentyfour months after surgery
Evaluation of severity of outcomes in the medium, short and long term
evaluate the severity of outcomes (musculoskeletal abnormalities, respiratory pathologies, eating disorders) in the medium, short and long term. Musculoskeletal abnormalities will be evaluated using the "Trunk Aesthetic Clinical Evaluation (TRACE) Scale"; this scale involves evaluation of shoulder asimmetry (1-3), scapulae asimmetry (1-2), hemi-thorax asimmetry (1-2), waist asimmetry (1-4). Respiratory pathologies are defined as the presence or absence of asthma and recurrent respiratory infections that requires hospitalization (\>3 per years). Eating disorders will be defined on the base of the consistence and the dimension of the pieces of food eaten by the child.
Time frame: One year after the Beginning of the study
Predective Facotrs evaluation
evaluate the effect of potential predictive factors (such as incision type, intercostal space opening, pleural approach) on abnormalities at different time-points. Musculoskeletal abnormalities will be evaluated using the "Trunk Aesthetic Clinical Evaluation (TRACE) Scale"; this scale involves evaluation of shoulder asimmetry (1-3), scapulae asimmetry (1-2), hemi-thorax asimmetry (1-2), waist asimmetry (1-4).
Time frame: One year after the Beginning of the study
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.