Early “sham” feeding of neonates promotes oral feeding after delayed primary repair of major congenital esophageal anomalies

Background To promote the appropriate and early development of the suck and swallow mechanism, we instituted a “sham” feeding protocol in infants undergoing delayed primary repair of an esophageal atresia anomaly. Methods Four patients who were born with esophageal atresia required delayed repair and were sham fed before surgical correction. Each infant started with a small volume of oral feeds by using a bottle/nipple with a continuous Replogle suction system placed nasally into the esophageal pouch. They were carefully monitored. The volume of feeds was slowly increased as tolerated. Results All infants successfully completed the sham feeding protocol before undergoing delayed primary esophageal repair. After repair, they had a shortened time to full oral feeding. Conclusion Our “sham” feeding protocol is safe and very effective in early development of oral feeding mechanisms and shortens time to complete oral feeding after delayed esophageal repair.