Cleft Palate with Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal fistula: A Complex Association

A BSTRACT The association of esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula with cleft lip/palate has historically been reported to have high mortality and has also been linked to other anomalies, increasing the complexity of management of such cases. EA is itself associated with increased cardiorespiratory risks in the perioperative period, and cleft deformities of the palate additionally increase the feeding difficulties, other than adding to the number of surgeries that the patient needs. All these factors make the patient with these anomalies at risk for life and increase the morbidity of the patient. An extremely uncommon case of this association is reported, emphasizing the importance of elaborate workup and meticulous multidisciplinary management of these patients. Even after correction of EA, feeding difficulties continue till the cleft palate is repaired later in life.