PubMed1989
Esophageal stenoses, both congenital and acquired, represent a serious problem in childhood due to the deleterious effects, of these anomalies in the patients nutritional state and lifestyle. Choosing the best way to the solution of such problems is of primary importance, paying special attention to the techniques that may not compromise irreversibly the continuity of the alimentary tract. The authors experience on the treatment of 77 esophageal stenoses, 8 of which were congenital and 69 acquire, is reported. Of this group, 24 are sequelae of esophageal atresias, 33 are of caustic origin and 12 of peptic nature. In 3 congenital stenoses with a cartilaginous matrix, surgical repair was undertaken. In the remaining cases forward and retrograde dilatation guided by a thread, through the gastrostomy orifice were performed, in accordance to the length and severity of the stenoses. Duration of the treatment varied broadly, ranging from 3-5 anterograde sessions, in the cases of esophageal atresia sequelae, to several years with an average monthly periodicity of one session in cases of total pharyngoesophageal caustic burn. As for complications, there were three cases of mediastinitis and two of subcutaneous infiltrations at the cervical level that were solved with antibiotics. The authors believe, on the basis of their experience, the absence of mortality and the scarce morbidity that, in the pediatric patients the treatment of choice of esophageal stenoses consists of dilatations on their different modalities. A yearly follow-up must be strictly maintained until the patients have completed their growth. We reject esophageal coloplasties in the pediatric age because of their complications rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)