Preservation of the azygos vein versus ligation of the azygos vein during surgical repair of esophageal atresia-tracheoesophageal fistula- a systematic review and meta-analysis

jpedsurg.org

Esophageal atresia-tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF) is amongst the most common life‐threatening developmental anomalies. For the surgical repair of esophageal atresia-tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF), several interventional modifications have been suggested. One such modification is the preservation of the azygos vein, a key draining vein for the esophagus and surrounding structures. However, there is no clear consensus on the subject.

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Article · Jan 2026 · 1 min read

In brief

This systematic review compares two surgical approaches for repairing EA-TEF: preserving versus ligating the azygos vein during the procedure. The analysis examines whether maintaining this key esophageal drainage vessel impacts surgical outcomes in neonates with this common congenital anomaly.

Azygos vein preservation during EA-TEF repair remains controversial with no clear consensus on optimal surgical approach
The azygos vein serves as a key drainage vessel for the esophagus and may impact postoperative outcomes
Multiple surgical modifications exist for EA-TEF repair, requiring evidence-based comparison of techniques

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