Chest wall outcomes after thoracotomy for oesophageal atresia repair
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Long-term outcomes and quality of life in relation to chest wall deformity following thoracotomy for oesophageal atresia repair in the neonatal period.
IRAS ID
305834
Contact name
Bruce Okoye
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George's Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Oesophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (OA/TOF) is a congenital anomaly where babies are born with a
blind ending oesophagus and an abnormal connection between the oesophagus and trachea. There remains
significant controversy within paediatric surgery about whether a thoracoscopic (minimally-invasive / keyhole)
approach to repair OA/TOF is superior to the traditional thoracotomy (open approach). Advances in minimally invasive
techniques over the last decade has resulted in this approach becoming more frequently used in some centres, with
less chest wall deformity and better cosmesis quoted as the justification. However, thoracoscopic repair of OA/TOF
has significant challenges and there is concern that at present it may lead to increased complications.
There is very little literature about the outcomes of a thoracotomy in the neonatal period on the chest wall once these
children are older and whether this has a significant impact on their quality of life. Anecdotally it has been our
experience that a thoracotomy in these children does not result in significant functional difficulties or poorer quality of
life. It is important to determine whether a thoracotomy actually does result in significant chest wall deformity and the
impact of this for these children. This will allow us to make an informed decision about the optimal approach for this
procedure. This study will aim to determine if thoracotomy for OA/TOF in the neonatal period results in significant chest
wall deformity and the impact of this on patients' quality of life.
In order to do this we will recruit all consecutive patients, who underwent a thoracotomy for repair of OA/TOF between
01/01/2000 - 31/12/2011. Clinical data will be collected from the medical records. Participants will be asked to
complete a quality of life questionnaire and invited to attend for medical photography to assess the scar and chest wall
deformity.REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0780
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jan 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion