[Caustic lesions of the esophagus in the child].

On the basis of a study involving 21 children treated over a 10 year period, the authors describe a method for the management of a child following the ingestion of a caustic fluid: emergency oesophagoscopy to determine the extent and nature on the lesions, in severe forms, alimentation gastrostomy, which would seem to be preferable to parenteral alimentation, is carried out, on the 21st day, a new endoscopic and radiological assessment, permitting distinction between those cases which are cured and those progressing to stenosis. In this latter group, the choice is made between dilatations and oesophagoplasty on the basis on the lesions present and the development of complications during dilatation.