Intrathoracic Intracorporeal Thoracoscopic Elongation – External Traction

Abstract

The management of long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) has always been a challenge. The native esophagus is the best option and should be preserved as much as possible. Many centers apply the delayed primary anastomosis technique (wait and watch technique) with anastomosis within 2–4 months. With the advances in minimal invasive surgery techniques in neonates in recent years, thoracoscopic repair of LGEA has come into scope of practice. In this chapter, we describe the thoracoscopic external elongation technique in LGEA in the first week of life without a gastrostomy.