H-type congenital tracheoesophageal fistula: Insights from 70 years of The Royal Children's Hospital experience

Retrospective review of 56 H-type tracheoesophageal fistula cases over 70 years demonstrates diagnostic challenges requiring repeat contrast studies and high surgical morbidity including 22% vocal cord palsy rate. Despite complications, long-term survival exceeds 89% with favorable outcomes when managed through cervical approach.