Retrograde esophageal dilatation in children: an alternative to the indwelling string.

Repeated esophageal dilatation for chronic strictures secondary to corrosive burns or anastomotic scarring is commonly performed by the retrograde technic in children. This requires the presence of an indwelling string, tied in a circle, entering the nose, and exiting the gastrostomy site. Long-term presence of this string frequently leads to nasal and gastrostomy excoriations and resultant patient discomfort. We advocate and describe a technic using a piece of Silastic tubing as an alternative to the indwelling string. This has met with increased patient acceptance and comfort as compared with the previous "heavysilk" or other "string" materials.