Esophageal perforation in premature newborns

BACKGROUND: Esophageal perforation is a rare entity in newborns. This condition is most common in premature babies with very low and extremely low birth weight. The major cause of such pathology is considered to be iatrogenic trauma of either pharynx or esophagus, their soft tissues being delicate and tender enough to produce delamination and perforation of their wall. As a rule, this occurs as a complication of either a difficult tracheal intubation soon after birth or during some troubles with oro- or nasogastric tube insertion. AIM: To analyze our experience of revealing and treatment of esophageal perforation in preterm babies, and to demonstrate conservative approach as a possible as well as reasonable option in such cases. METHODS: A retrospective study of neonatal esophageal perforation cases was performed, including newborns without any congenital esophageal malformations or previous surgical procedures. During 2017–2022 9 newborns with esophageal perforation were treated at neonatal intensive care unit and neonatal departments of Childrens’ City Multidisciplinary Clinical Specialized Center of High Medical Technologies of Saint Petersburg. All of them were premature, 2 having very low, and 7 having extremely low birth weight. The incidence of that condition appeared to be 1:1320 live births. RESULTS: 8 patients were treated conservatively. This included adjustment of artificial lung ventilation, pain control, antibiotics, cancellation of gastric enteral feeding and administration of total parenteral nutrition. Babies with hydrothorax, pneumothorax or ascites underwent thoraco- or laparocentesis. 2 patients died, both being born at 23th week of gestation. In both cases death occurred from polyorganic insufficiency. The mortality rate appeared to be 22%. CONCLUSION: In most cases the esophageal perforation in premature babies can be treated conservatively, the efficacy of such treatment being largely dependent on early diagnosis of this complication. An important key-point in it is a radiologic control of gastric tube location.