Perioperative individualized nursing for an adolescent with recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula after endoscopic repair: a case report
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Background Congenital esophageal atresia (CEA) type III is a common neonatal digestive malformation, and recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (rTEF) is a refractory long-term postoperative complication. Combined suspension laryngoscopy and flexible bronchoscopy minimally invasive fistula repair is a novel therapeutic strategy, yet standardized perioperative nursing experience targeting adolescents with multiple failed transthoracic surgeries remains scarce. Conventional nursing cannot simultaneously manage compound risks including severe malnutrition, tracheomalacia, adolescent anxiety and airway edema. This case report aimed to summarize multidisciplinary team (MDT) individualized full-cycle nursing protocols for this rare patient population. Case presentation A 17.5-year-old male patient with rTEF, 17.5 years after neonatal primary congenital esophageal atresia repair, with two failed transthoracic fistula closures, presented persistent feeding choking, recurrent pneumonia and severe malnutrition (BMI=15.5 kg/m 2 ). MDT refined airway management, quantitative staged nutrition, whole-course psychological intervention and predictive complication prevention were implemented before and after endoscopic fistula repair. No severe complications occurred during hospitalization. Esophagography and bronchoscopy on postoperative day 10 confirmed complete fistula healing. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 14 with a 0.8 kg weight gain, and one-month follow-up showed sustained fistula repair and continuous weight improvement. Conclusion MDT-driven individualized perioperative nursing effectively reduces airway and nutritional complications and promotes fistula healing in adolescent rTEF patients receiving endoscopic minimally invasive surgery. This case provides replicable evidence-based nursing references for similar complex rare esophageal malformation cases.
Source: Frontiers in Pediatrics
Language: English
Topic: Esophageal and GI Pathology
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7223328810