Abstract
Introduction Surgical treatment of esophageal atresia (EA) has markedly improved, allowing the
focus to shift from short-term complications and mortality to long-term complications
and quality of life. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is variable and reported
to range from reduced to unimpaired in patients with repaired EA. We assessed the
HRQoL, determined the prevalence of long-term complications and their possible impact
on the HRQoL in patients who had correction of EA in Switzerland. Further, we also
investigated in the general well-being of their parents.
Materials and Methods Patients with EA repair in Switzerland between 1985 and 2011 were enrolled. Long-term
complications were assessed by enquiring disease-related symptoms, standardized clinical
examinations, and analysis of radiographs. HRQoL was inquired using different validated
questionnaires (KIDSCREEN-27, World Health Organization [WHO]-5, and Gastrointestinal
Quality of Life Index [GIQLI]). Patients were grouped according to their age. In underage
patients, general well-being of the parents was assessed using the WHO-5 questionnaire.
Results Thirty patients were included with a mean age of 11.3 ± 5.7 years. Long-term complications
were present in 63% of all patients. HRQoL in underage patients was comparable to
the provided reference values and rated as good, while adult patients reported a reduced
HRQoL. The presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms was associated with
reduced HRQoL in underage patients. Parents of underage patients stated a good general
well-being.
Conclusion Long-term complications among patients with repair of EA in Switzerland are common.
HRQoL in underage patients is good and general well-being of their parents is unimpaired.
Adult patients reported a reduced HRQoL, consistent with other reports. As long-term
complications may manifest only later in life, a structured follow-up of patients
with an EA repair during childhood and adolescence is needed.
Keywords
esophageal atresia - health-related quality of life - long-term follow-up
