An Irish twin, currently receiving life-changing treatment in Boston, had her fourth surgery yesterday which connected the two ends of her esophagus in a pioneering procedure.

One-year-old Elie Madden is currently undergoing treatment in Boston Children’s Hospital for a rare digestive disorder which means she cannot eat, drink, or swallow.

Elie's condition, known as severe posterior tracheomalacia and long-gap oesophageal atresia, resulted in a 5cm gap between her esophagus and stomach. Her twin, Emie, was born in good health.

After arriving in Boston in late November, doctors placed the toddler in an induced coma on December 2 to allow her esophagus to grow – a procedure known as the Foker’s technique.

In the latest surgery on Wednesday, doctors were successful in joining the two ends of the toddler’s esophagus.

“We are very happy to announce that Elie's esophagus is now connected,” the Madden family wrote on their Elie’s Facebook page last night.

Watching her daughter lie in an induced coma for the past four weeks has not been easy,  said mam Esti.

“It’s very hard, because it seems like she is awake, I feel like I haven’t seen her in over a month and yet she is there; her body is there but she is not there,” Esti told the Mooney Show on RTE this week.
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Read more:
The Madden family reunited in Boston as sick twin Elie remains in coma

Irish tot undergoes life changing surgery in Boston

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While Esti, Emie, and her mother intend to remain in Boston for the rest of Elie’s treatment, dad Eddie, who made the journey for the holiday period, will leave his family again in the coming days.

Esti expressed her thanks to the medical team in Boston who are providing around the clock care for her daughter.

“I don’t know how I will show my gratitude to them, as they are saving my daughter’s life,” Esti concluded.

For more information or to donate to the Elie Madden Fund, visit her website here.