Authors' objectives:

This study aims to assess the effects of oesophago-gastric anastomosis, or gastric tube or bowel interposition surgery in infants and older children with oesophageal atresia or stenosis.

Authors' recommendations: Oesophago-gastric anastomosis or interposition surgery versus no intervention: The evidence suggests that these techniques are preferable to no intervention in infants with oesophageal atresia, given that the condition is always fatal without treatment. Although we found no reliably generalisable estimates of effects, the evidence demonstrates that oesophago-gastric and interposition techniques are feasible for oesophageal stenosis in non-infant children evidence of feasibility was absent for the Foker technique in this population.3 Oesophago-gastric anastomosis or interposition surgery versus other techniques: In common with the companion STEER, we found insufficient evidence to compare oesophago-gastric anastomosis or interposition surgery versus oesophago-oesophageal anastomosis. We found insufficient evidence to compare these techniques versus continued bouginage in children with oesophageal stenosis, although this may not be an important issue if surgery is reserved for children in whom bouginage is repeatedly unsuccessful.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.wihrd.soton.ac.uk

Year Published: 2003

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development

Contact Address: Pauline King. Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development, Boldrewood Medical School, Bassett Crescent East, Highfield, Southampton. SO16 7PX Tel. +44 1703 595661 Fax +44 1703 595662

Copyright: Bazian Ltd, Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development