Intrathoracic Extracorporeal Lengthening (Foker technique)

Abstract

Surgical intervention for long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) still poses serious challenges to most pediatric surgeons, and there is no clear consensus on the technique of choice. There are two preferred modes of attack: esophageal replacement, including gastric transposition or jejunal/colon interposition, and esophagus elongation, which differs conceptually by conserving what exists of the native organ. Here, we present continuous stretching, Foker elongation (intrathoracic elongation open and minimally invasive), esophageal myotomy, and clostridium for treating LGEA. Techniques are described with discussion of relevant issues.