A recent study (FR Grunder et al. JPGN 2019; 69: 45-51) examines the use of proton pump inhibitor use after surgical repair of esophageal atresia; this involved a longitudinal cohort (n=73) with prospectively collected data over 11 years.

Background: While PPIs have been used for long-term treatment due to the high frequency of reflux and concerns regarding anastomotic strictures, the authors note that data on long-term outcomes/natural history and benefits/risks of this approach are lacking.

Key findings:

• 48% of patients had PPIs discontinued at followup.
• Among the 43 with PPI discontinuation, 40 had endoscopy results available.  Histologic abnormalities were noted in 8 (19%) which was lower than in the group receiving ongoing PPI use (n=19, 63%).. These 8 patients had PPI restarted.
• Among patients unable to discontinue PPI therapy, there was a higher rate of prior anti-reflux surgical procedure, 27% compared to 5% who had anti-reflux procedure among group who were able to discontinue PPI therapy.
• Patients more likely to remain on PPIs more frequently had a prior anastomotic leak and/or moderate to severe tracheomalacia.
• The authors state that among patients receiving PPIs, there was more frequent recurrent pneumonia as well as more frequent use of inhaled beta-adrenergic agonists and steroids. However, this was not shown to be a causal association.  It is unclear whether these patients had more severe esophageal dysfunction or whether PPI use contributed to this outcome.

In their discussion, the authors note that PPIs have not been shown to reduce the rate of anastomotic strictures.  They argue that “PPI could be used more selectively in the following: in children with long-gap EA or anastomotic tension or anastomotic leak; after a first dilatation for anastomotic stricture rather than systematically, given the lack of preventive effect of PPI; and in children whose esophagoscopy demonstrates peptic esophagitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, or gastric metaplasia.”

My take: The authors are probably right that a large fraction of EA patients may not need long-term PPI use.  Selecting which patients will benefit will remain a challenge. Published guidelines recommend monitoring for GERD complications in EA, especially after stopping PPIs.

Related blog posts:

• Guidelines for esophageal atresia-TEF “Endoscopy with biopsies is mandatory for routine monitoring of GERD in patients with EA.” The authors recommend evaluation (pH, impedance, and/or endoscopy) at time of stopping anti-acid treatment and during long-term follow-up. Specifically,  with low level of evidence, the authors advocate for one endoscopy after stopping PPI therapy, one before age 10 years, and one at transition to adulthood.”
• Increased Risk of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in EA
• Never quite right | gutsandgrowth,
• Endoscopic Surveillance after Esophageal Atresia: Low Yield in Pediatrics
• Declining Role of Fundoplication in Esophageal Atresia, Too

University of Virginia