Thoracoscopic Repair of Esophageal Atresia in an Infant: A Surgical First

Abstract

A 3.4-kg infant born with long-gap esophageal atresia underwent thoracoscopic repair of her defect after serial bougienage successfully approximated the two ends of the esophagus. A new technique for bronchial blockade of the right mainstem bronchus was used to collapse the right lung. A three-trocar, transpleural approach was used, with the patient situated in a lateral, semiprone position. Extracorporeal knots were placed circumferentially to complete the anastomosis.