View article

Preservation of native esophagus is a tenet of esophageal atresia (EA) repair. However, techniques for delayed primary anastomosis are severely limited for surgically and medically complex patients at high-risk for operative repair. We report our initial experience with the novel application of the Connect-EA, an esophageal magnetic compression anastomosis device, for salvage of primary repair in 2 high-risk complex EA patients. Compassionate use was approved by the FDA and treating institutions.

Two approaches using the Connect-EA are described – a totally endoscopic approach and a novel hybrid operative approach. To our knowledge, this is the first successful use of a hybrid operative approach with an esophageal magnetic compression device.

Salvage of delayed primary anastomosis was successful in both patients. The totally endoscopic approach …