BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to define whether the addition of thoracic lavage to chest drainage was more efficient than the use of chest drainage alone in the treatment for anastomotic leaks in type III esophageal atresia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical data of 42 patients with anastomotic leakage treated with the addition of thoracic lavage from January 2012 to March 2019 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical data of 50 patients with anastomotic leakage treated without thoracic lavage from March 1999 to December 2011 in our hospital were selected as controls.

RESULTS: The duration of fistula healing, mechanical ventilation, hospitalization in intensive care unit, and gastric tube intubation in the thoracic lavage group were significantly shorter than those in the non-lavage group. The cost of hospitalization and the incidence of severe pneumonia were significantly lower in the thoracic lavage group than in the non-lavage group. The diameter of the anastomotic opening after anastomotic fistula healing was wider in the thoracic lavage group than in the non-lavage group.

CONCLUSIONS: The technique of thoracic lavage is simple, economical and convenient and can effectively promote the healing of anastomotic fistulas, accelerate postoperative recovery in children and reduce the cost of treatment.

Keywords: esophageal atresia, Hospitals, Pediatric, Postoperative Complications, Anastomosis, Surgical, Anastomotic Leak, Chest Tubes, Combined Modality Therapy, Drainage, Esophagectomy, Feasibility Studies, Infant, Newborn, Therapeutic Irrigation