Oesophageal Atresia and Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula (OA/TOF) does not only affect children and many born with the condition can go on to have chronic problems in adulthood. Severe complications that were not observed in the past because only a few patients reached adulthood are now a concern.
Although guidelines exist for the medical management of problems in childhood, a systematic approach to the care of these patients in adolescence, during transition to adulthood and in adulthood does not currently exist. A good transition requires training and preparation of the adolescent and family and a multidisciplinary team.
To help address this issue, INoEA (the International Network on Esophageal Atresia) has a set of evidence-based guidelines for the management of complications through the transition from adolescence into adulthood.
The Transition Working Group of INoEA has formulated 42 questions for medical professionals to address the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of gastrointestinal, surgical, respiratory, otolaryngological, nutritional, psychological and quality of life complications that patients with OA/TOF may face.
TOFS Trustee Graham Slater and TOFS Medical Advisory Group member Dr Vuokko Wallace were members of the project team and are co-authors of this publication.
It is hoped that this Consensus Statement will contribute to improved care and outcomes for adolescent and adult patients with OA/TOF.
The full publication can be accessed via https://www.nature.com/articles/s41575-023-00789-w
