# Mind the Missing Gap: A Cervical Variant of Type A Esophageal Atresia

## TL;DR

A rare case of type A esophageal atresia in a newborn is reported, where a cervical surgical approach enabled successful treatment due to an unusual anatomical configuration.

## Contribution

This is the first reported case of a cervical variant in type A esophageal atresia allowing primary anastomosis.

## Key findings

- The newborn had a cervical variant of type A EA with a short gap enabling primary anastomosis.
- Thoracoscopic exploration was necessary to clarify the anatomy, as initial imaging was misleading.
- The case highlights the need for intraoperative flexibility in managing esophageal atresia.

## Abstract

Background: Esophageal atresia (EA) type A, characterized by the absence of a tracheoesophageal fistula and typically presenting with a long esophageal gap, usually requires staged repair. Methods: We report a rare case of a newborn with type A EA in which both the proximal and distal esophageal pouches were unexpectedly close and located in the cervical region. This anatomical variant allowed for a successful primary anastomosis through a cervical approach. Results: Initial imaging was misleading, and the true anatomy was clarified only through thoracoscopic exploration, underscoring the importance of intraoperative flexibility. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a presentation in type A EA, with significant implications for diagnosis and surgical strategy.