Tubular Duplication of the Esophagus in a Newborn, Treated by Thoracoscopy

Abstract

We present a case of tubular esophageal duplication in a 3-day-old female newborn (38 weeks, 2,500 g) without concomitant abnormal development. Esophageal duplication was diagnosed based on the clinical picture, direct laryngoscopy, esophagography and computed tomography. The duplicated esophagus was resected by thoracoscopy leaving the orthotopic esophagus in place. Isolation from the pharynx was performed via a separate cervical incision. After a follow-up period of 20 months, the child returned to normal growth and development.

Keywords

esophageal duplication - newborn - thoracoscopy

Introduction

Congenital tubular esophageal duplication is a rare congenital anomaly in which the second esophagus with mucous, submucous, and muscular membranes, corresponding to the esophagus, is adjacent to the true esophagus without a common wall. This condition causes dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, retrosternal pain or respiratory problems (stridor and recurrent pneumonia). Presentation typically occurs during the newborn period. Tubular esophageal duplication represents approximately 10% of all foregut duplications.[1] [2] The incidence of this malformation is estimated to be 1:8,200, with male sex predominance 2:1.[3] It is subgrouped into three types as follows: (1) cystic (the most common), (2) tubular, and (3) diverticular. Very few cases have been reported and described in newborns.[4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Case Presentation

We report the case of a 3-day-old female (38 weeks and 2,500 g) presented to our surgical clinic from the maternity hospital with a history of respiratory distress, salivation, and dysphagia. The newborn was delivered via caesarean section to a primigravida mother. There was no visible additional malformation. On a physical examination in maternity hospital, she had tachycardia and tachypnea, maintaining oxygen saturation of 88% at room air. The patient aspirated and was intubated and ventilated, a nasogastric tube was placed. The child was consulted by a surgeon and transferred to a surgical clinic for further examination. During laryngoscopy, two esophageal lumen were discovered. Two nasogastric tubes were placed. First into the blind-ending esophagus and second into the normal esophagus under fluoroscopic guidance. The nasogastric tube was used for enteral feeding while the tube in the long and blind-ending duplicated esophageal pouch was attached to low pressure suction pump. A contrast esophagram confirmed a tubular esophageal duplication extending from the cervical region to the diaphragm without any gastric communication. The duplicated segment was found on the left side in the neck and on the right posterior side of the normal esophagus in the thorax ([Fig. 1]). Computed tomography (CT) confirmed a tiny duplicated lumen to the right of and along the orthotopic esophagus ([Fig. 2]). А Nelaton's catheter was inserted into the double esophagus before the operation for better visualization of the tubular duplication esophagus during thoracoscopy. The infant underwent a right thoracoscopy. The procedure was performed with three ports. The initial 5-mm trocar was inserted just below the right scapula tip and a 5-mm camera was inserted as well. А 3-mm port was placed in the fifth intercostal space posterior to the tip of the scapula. Another 3-mm trocar was inserted at the right midaxillary line along the scapula margin ([Fig. 3]). The esophageal duplication tubular sac was removed from the surrounding tissue all the way from the main esophagus using a coagulation hook and monopolar coagulation. There was no common wall between the tubular and the main esophagus. The dissection of the doubled esophagus was continued cranially to the level of the superior chest aperture. Then, a left cervical neck incision was made and the tubular esophagus was removed. The child was left intubated for 5 days. Feeds via the nasogastric tube were commenced up until the sixth postoperative day. Recovery of the child was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the postoperative day 16. Histopathological examination showed a gastric-type mucosa with a well-developed sub mucosa, muscularis propria, and serosa. A contrast esophagram via gastrografin swallowed 2 weeks after surgery showed a normal esophagus ([Fig. 4]). After a follow-up period of 20 months, the child returned to normal growth and development.

Fig. 1 Esophagram via gastrografin swallow showing tubular esophageal duplication extending from the neck to the diaphragm.

Fig. 2 Computed tomography (CT) showing a second lumen along right the orthotopic esophagus.

Fig. 3 Patient positioning and placement of trocars: 1, camera; 2 and 3, working ports.

Fig. 4 Follow-up contrast esophagram 1 year after surgery showing a normal position of the orthotopic esophagus.

Discussion

Pediatric tubular duplication of the esophagus is a rare congenital anomaly. The incidence of congenital esophageal duplication is estimated to be 1:8,200, with male sex predominance (male:female = 2:1).[9] Cystic duplications are far more common, with tubular duplications accounting for less than 10% of cases.[10] Tubular duplications without communication to the normal esophagus are more common than cystic duplications. Classically, these patients suffer from gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, respiratory distress, or aspiration pneumonia. Diagnosis can be made by esophageal contrast study, with several duplications discovered incidentally on X-ray of the chest. A CT can be useful in making a diagnosis by showing a second tubular structure adjacent to the esophagus. In this case, the diagnosis was made via upper endoscopy. It allowed delineating the detailed anatomy, the extent of duplication, presence and length of a common wall, and a possible communication to the normal esophagus or trachea. It is well documented that a surgical excision is a viable option for the duplication of the esophagus.[4] [11] In our patient, the thoracoscopic approach was successful. This report shows that although extremely rare, a tubular esophageal duplication should be considered as a differential diagnosis in newborns with feeding intolerance. After surgical excision of the additional esophagus, prognosis is favorable in most cases.[9] [12]

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

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Publication History

Received: 12 May 2021

Accepted: 04 November 2021

Article published online:
10 March 2022