Life-Saving Surgery for a Newborn with Oesophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula

The first few days of a child’s life are meant to be filled with joy, tiny heartbeats, and soft lullabies. But for two-day-old Atishi (name changed), life began with a struggle to breathe and a fight for survival.

She was brought to Sarvodaya Hospital, Sec 8, Faridabad, in a critical state. She could not drink milk, not even the first feed. Every attempt led to frothy vomiting, choking, and gasping for air.

Investigations

A thin tube was gently inserted through her mouth to check if milk could reach the stomach. But it stopped midway. What seemed like a simple test confirmed that her food pipe did not connect to her stomach. Instead, it opened into the windpipe, sending milk into the lungs and putting her life in extreme danger.

• An X-ray and detailed evaluation confirmed the diagnosis:
• Oesophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula (EA/TEF) — a rare and life-threatening congenital condition where a baby is born with an incomplete oesophagus and an abnormal connection to the airway.
• A 2D Echo was done to assess the heart, too, as almost 30% of babies with EA/TEF have additional heart problems.

Immediate surgery was planned due to the severity of the condition

One of the Most Challenging Newborn Surgeries — Performed in a Single Stage

Newborns diagnosed with EA/TEF usually undergo multiple surgeries. Yet, at Sarvodaya Hospital, our highly experienced Paediatric Surgery team accomplished what many consider extremely difficult — a complete repair in one procedure.

During the complex surgery:

• Her food pipe was carefully separated from the windpipe
• The abnormal fistula was sealed
• A new passage was created, allowing the food pipe to connect correctly to the stomach

Post Surgery Recovery and Care

After the operation, she was transferred to our Neonatal ICU, where she was monitored every moment by a dedicated team of neonatologists and nurses.

Day by day, she grew stronger. By the 7th day, she tasted her first oral feed, a milestone for her parents and every doctor who cared for her.
By Day 9, she was ready to go home, breathing normally, feeding well, and beginning the journey every child deserves: a future full of possibilities.

This case is more than a successful surgery; It is a story of timely action, clinical excellence, and a life saved against the odds.

What is Oesophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula (EA/TEF)?

EA/TEF is a congenital birth defect, affecting 1 in every 4000 newborns, where:

• The oesophagus ends in a pouch and does not reach the stomach (Oesophageal Atresia)
• A portion of the oesophagus is abnormally connected to the windpipe (Tracheoesophageal Fistula)

This causes milk to enter the lungs, leading to choking, breathing problems, and severe complications if not treated immediately.

Symptoms of Oesophageal Atresia with TEF

Parents and doctors may observe:

• Foamy saliva or milk around the mouth
• Coughing, choking during feeding
• Vomiting of milk with bubbles
• Inability to swallow
• Respiratory distress or bluish skin (due to low oxygen)

It is a medical emergency requiring urgent neonatal/paediatric surgery.

Treatment for EA/TEF

At Sarvodaya Hospital, a leading Paediatric Surgery Hospital in Delhi NCR, treatment includes:

• Emergency surgery soon after birth
• Closure of the fistula
• Joining the upper and lower oesophagus
• NICU monitoring for safe recovery
• Gradual initiation of oral feeds
• Long-term follow-up for healthy growth

With timely intervention, babies can go on to live normal, healthy lives. 

Importance of Antenatal Scans

Antenatal scans play a crucial role in identifying congenital anomalies even before the baby is born. When detected timely, parents are informed and counselled by paediatric surgeons, allowing them to be emotionally and medically prepared. Most importantly, delivery can be planned at a specialised paediatric surgery and neonatal care centre, ensuring that the newborn receives immediate life-saving intervention. This proactive approach significantly improves the baby’s chances of survival, recovery, and a healthy future.

Why Sarvodaya Hospital for Paediatric Surgical Care?

• Expert Paediatric and Neonatal Surgery Team
• Advanced NICU with round-the-clock neonatologists
• High-precision diagnostics: X-ray, 2D Echo, etc.
• Proven outcomes in complex congenital surgeries