Routine post-operative esophagram is not necessary after repair of esophageal atresia

Abstract Introduction Esophagrams are routinely performed following repair of esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF); however, its utility has not been validated. Methods EA/TEF repair performed from 2003-2014 at a single pediatric hospital and from 2004-2014 in the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database were retrospectively reviewed to determine utility of esophagrams. Results Esophagram was performed in 99% of patients at our institution (N = 105). Clinical signs were seen prior to esophagram in patients whose leak changed clinical management. Esophagram on post-operative day ≤15 was performed in 66% of PHIS database patients (N = 3255). Esophagram did not change the incidence of chest tube placement, reoperation, or dilation. Patients who required a reoperation were less likely to have an esophagram than patients who did not require a reoperation (40.7% versus 65.7%, p