Increased Musculoskeletal Deformities And Decreased Lung Volume In Patients After Ea/Tef Repair – A Real-Time Mri Study

Objective: This study aims to assess morphological and functional postoperative changes after open or minimally invasive (MIS) repair of esophageal atresia (EA) compared to healthy controls by thoracic real-time MRI. Summary Background Data: Musculoskeletal deformities and pulmonary morbidity are common in children after EA repair. The real-time MRI is a novel technique that provides ultrafast, high-quality images during spontaneous breathing, without sedation even in young children. Methods: Children aged 3-18 years were prospectively examined with a 3 Tesla MRI. Musculoskeletal deformities, static thoracic cross-sectional areas (CSA) at three different levels and lung volumes, as well as dynamic right-to-left ratio of CSA of hemithoraces and lung volumes during forced breathing were evaluated. Results: 72 children (42 open, 8 MIS, 22 controls) were recruited. In the EA group, rib fusions and adhesions (78%, P <0.01) and scoliosis (15%, P =0.32) were found after thoracotomy, but not after MIS. Mean right-to-left ratio of CSA and lung volumes were lower after EA repair compared to controls ( P <0.05), indicating impaired thoracic and lung development. The number of thoracotomies was a significant risk factor for smaller thoracic volumes ( P <0.05). Conclusions: For the first time, morphological changes and thoracic motility after EA repair were visualized by dynamic real-time MRI. Children after EA repair show decreased right-sided thoracic and lung development compared to controls. Open repair leads to significantly more musculoskeletal deformities. This study emphasizes that musculoskeletal morbidity following a thoracotomy in infancy is high.