Esophageal and Airway Treatment (EAT) Program at CHOP

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new program at CHOP, the Esophageal and Airway Treatment (EAT) Program. EAT at CHOP specializes in treating children with airway and esophageal conditions. Our program is co-led by two nationally renowned experts: Thomas E. Hamilton, MD, pediatric surgeon with the Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, and Michael A. Manfredi, MD, gastroenterologist with the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

Living with swallowing and breathing difficulties can be challenging for patients, and conditions that involve narrowing or blockage of the esophagus and airways can be complicated to treat. Many families come to us unaware of all the options for care. They may have been told their child will outgrow their condition or been offered outdated care. But newer and more innovative treatment approaches are possible. Our team of specialists has decades of experience caring for children with these rare conditions.

Our clinicians specialize in diagnosing and treating children with:

• Esophageal atresia/Tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF)
• Congenital esophageal strictures
• Acquired esophageal strictures
• Tracheomalacia/tracheobronchomalacia (TBM)
• Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas
• Laryngeal cleft

We offer coordinated care, with tailored plans that consider each patient and family’s unique needs.

Our comprehensive treatments include a full range of medical and surgical options, all in one place.

Our goal is to preserve a child’s natural esophagus whenever possible to give them the best chance to enjoy eating by mouth, to overcome common illnesses and to thrive at home.

Our state-of-the-art precision treatments include:

• Esophageal atresia repair
• Primary repair
• Tension-accelerated natural growth (Foker process) for long-gap esophageal atresia
• Esophageal stricture therapy — endoscopic and surgical resection
• Tracheoesophageal fistula repair, both endoscopic and surgical closures
• Posterior tracheopexy for severe tracheobronchomalacia and recurrent TEF
• Anterior tracheopexy for severe tracheobronchomalacia

We see a high volume of patients, which allows us to study unanswered questions about esophageal and airway problems. We are actively engaged in ongoing research to better understand esophageal atresia and esophageal stricture, so we can continually provide more advanced care. And our research seeks to develop genetic tests that provide earlier diagnosis. We are one of the few places in the country able to provide the depth and breadth of care children with these complex conditions may need.

Our team of specialists knows that partnering with referring physicians is an important aspect of treatment and advances the care we can provide for our patients. If you would like to refer a patient to EAT at CHOP, please call us at 215-590-5945.