After successful repairs of tracheoesophageal fistula(TEF), the high incidence of esophageal dysmotility, gastroesphageal reflux and abnormalitis in lung functions with respiratory symptoms have been documented. Most commonly, respiratory
symptoms
after
repair of TEF have been attributed to aspiration resulting from GER. Occationally other factors, such as trachemomalacia, esophageal dysmotility, anastomotic stricture, and recurrent TEF, are often responsible for respiratory symptoms.
We experienced a 6-year-old girl who suffered from recurrent pneumnia and stridor for 5 years after the repair of esophageal atresia with TEF. She took barium esophagogram two times, the first study revealed no remarkable reflux, but her
esophageal
motility was markedly decreased. The second study showed poor peristalsis and major degree gas-tresophageal reflux. An intense antireflux treatment abolished the respiratory attacks. Therefore, gastroesophageal reflux should be considered as a
possible
cuase or contributing fctor in any child with recurrent respiratory symptoms, with or without repair of TEF.
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