Abstract

Five cases of congenital H-type tracheo-oesophageal fistula are presented. The clinical features common to all were choking and coughing precipitated by feeds, recurrent chest infections, and episodes of abdominal distension. The usefulness of repeated oesophagograms in diagnosing the condition is emphasized. Operation in all cases was by the cervical approach. The single postoperative death was related to pre-existent severe chest infection, and no postoperative complications were encountered in the other patients.