[Esophageal dilatation in pediatrics: study of 33 patients].

BACKGROUND

Esophageal dilatation is usually regarded as an effective therapy in a majority of esophageal stenosis in childhood. However, the limited number of pediatric data does not allow definite conclusions on indications and complications of such a procedure.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The files of 33 children whose esophageal stenosis had been treated by dilatation by the same operator between 1983 and 1992 were retrospectively reviewed. The structure mechanisms were: group 1: repair of esophageal atresia (n = 9), group 2: caustic esophagitis (n = 6), group 3: peptic esophagitis (n = 12), group 4: unclassified structures (congenital esophageal stenosis, achalasia) (n = 6). The dilatations were performed under general anesthesia, and the dilatator guide was introduced under endoscopic control. Two methods were used: Savary esophageal bougies and balloon dilatation. A thoracic X-ray was systematically performed after each dilatation.

RESULTS

One hundred and fourteen dilatations (3.5 dilatations/child) were performed (range: 1-32 dilatations). Twenty-five of the 33 children (76%) were dramatically improved after mechanical dilatation. Esophageal dilatation was unsuccessful in the eight other patients, seven of them requiring a surgical repair. Complications occurred in 3.4% of the dilatations: one esophageal perforation, one pneumomediastinum and two cardiac arrests (one of vagal origin and 1 after accidental extubation). All patients survived. Efficacy, duration of dilatation and complication rates were not similar in the four groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Esophageal dilatation should be considered as a simple and effective procedure when strict security rules are respected by a trained operator.