Management of esophagogastric corrosive injuries in children

There has been an increase in the number of patients admitted to our hospital with caustic esophageal injuries during the last five years. The aim of this study was to analyze the complications and results of the treatment of corrosive esophagogastric injury. Between 1990 and 2000, 120 caustic ingestion accidents were admitted to our unit. The mean age was 4 years, with a 2 : 1 male to female ratio. The average time between the caustic ingestion and admission to hospital was 14.9 days. The ingested substances were alkali in 80.9 % and acid in 19.1 % of the cases. Stenosis of the esophagus developed in 31 (25.8 %) and gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) in 6 (5 %) patients. Management of the esophageal stricture consisted of dilatation in 28 patients. Three children underwent colonic interposition without a dilatation attempt. Six children were lost to follow-up; 4 patients were successfully treated; 13 patients were still in the dilatation program at the time of writing with 6 improving and 2 patients waiting for interposition surgery; 4 patients underwent colonic interposition and 1 patient underwent resection of the stenotic part of the esophagus. Among the patients in the dilation program, we observed 4 esophageal perforations. Three of them were treated medically and further dilatations were carried out, while one was managed by colonic interposition. The treatment modalities for GOO cases consisted of pyloroplasty in 3, Billroth I in 2 and balloon dilation of the pylorus in 1 child. Although balloon dilatation of the esophagus carries the risk of perforation, it should be the first line of treatment in suitable cases. GOO cases may require surgical therapy following a detailed endoscopic evaluation.