HISTORY OF SURGERY FOR OESOPHAGEAL ATRESIA
The Oesophageal Surgery in Russian paediatric surgery has a 50 year history. The first oesophageal anastomosis in a newborn was performed by Professor Bairov GA on the 26 October 1955. The success of this operation heralded the further developments in this direction of paediatric surgery. Since then the methods of surgical therapy for the oesophageal atresia have considerably evolved resulting in improvement of the patient survival and overall outcomes. This article presents the principles of surgical procedures for the congenital malformations of the oesophagus and their development in a historical aspect. Based on the analysis of our extensive clinical experience in this field acquired over the years at the Children’s Hospital № 1 in St Petersburg, the diagnostic aspects, therapeutic strategies and postoperative complications are also reviewed. The improvements directed to prevention of possible problems are described. As a result, the elaborated algorithm of postoperative management and follow up for the patients is outlined including indications and timing for further treatment (boughenating, fundoplication, esophageal replacement) if required.