Tanaka Y, et al. – Authors performed comparison of outcomes of thoracoscopic primary repair of gross type C esophageal atresia performed by qualified and non–qualified surgeons. Although supervision of experts would improve results in thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia, the results highlight the necessity for good skill to avoid anastomotic stricture.

Methods

• Retrospective review was performed of the demographics and outcomes of patients with Gross type C esophageal atresia, who underwent primary thoracoscopic repair at authors' hospital between January 2014 and August 2016.
• Comparison was performed of outcomes of surgeries performed by qualified surgeons, as determined by the Japanese Society for Endoscopic Surgery with those of non–qualified surgeons.
• In this study, all operations were performed by or under the supervision of one qualified surgeon.

Results

• Qualified surgeons performed nine operations and non–qualified surgeons with >10 years of experience in surgery performed six operations.
• Authors identified no patient who developed anastomotic leakage or recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula.
• However, significantly higher operative time and rate of stricture formation at the beginning of the weaning period were observed in the latter group (P = 0.008 and 0.044).