[Prevention of caustic stenoses of the esophagus with an intraesophageal mold].

The various methods for the management of full-thickness caustic burns of the esophagus, whether by early bougienage or by corticosteroïd treatment and/or use of an intraluminal catheter, have proved unsuccessful to this date. The use of an intraluminal splint kept in place during 3 weeks, as advocated by Reyes, slows down the growth of exuberant granulation tissue and prevents the formation of synechia and stricture during the healing process. Reyes's method was modified as follows: after a delay of 4 or 5 days, an esophagoscopy is performed along with a histologic study in order to ascertain the extent of the burn. Then, a Blackmore catheter is introduced in the esophagus to serve as a splint. No corticosteroids are used. The authors report 3 cases of deep caustic burns of the esophagus as attested by endoscopic and histologic studies, which have been successfully treated.