Atresia of oesophagus

**Definition:** Oesophageal atresia encompasses a group of congenital anomalies with an interruption in the continuity of the oesophagus, with or without persistent communication with the trachea. In 86% of cases there is a distal tracheoesophageal fistula, in 7% of cases there is no fistulous connection, while in 4% of cases there is a tracheoesophageal fistula without atresia. The remaining cases are made up of patients with OA with proximal, or both proximal and distal, tracheoesophageal fistula.