Early bougienage for relief of stricture formation following caustic esophageal burns

Accidental ingestion of corrosive substances remains a major health hazard in children. Most infants and children who ingest caustic substances present with very few symptoms or signs. Approximately 40% of caustic substance ingestions result in esophageal injury, but the optimal management of caustic esophageal burns remains controversial, with different treatment modalities in use. The aim of this study was to compare the results of prophylactic early bougienage with dilatation that was begun after stricture development. We retrospectively analyzed the management of 125 pediatric cases of corrosive substance ingestion. For children seen primarily at our institution, initial management consisted of prompt endoscopy. Of 125 children admitted with a history of caustic substance ingestion, 54 were found to have esophageal burns, and 32 underwent treatment for stricture formation. Patients with severe injury were divided into two groups: In group A, consisting of 20 patients, prophylactic early dilatation had been done. In the eight patients in group B, dilatation had begun after stricture development. The strictures had resolved after 6 months of dilatation in patients initially treated with prophylactic early bougienage, whereas in patients in whom dilatation began after stricture development, stricture resolution did not occur for more than a year. The goal of initial treatment is to avoid stricture formation. Although early dilatations do not eliminate stricture formation completely, the stricture can resolve more easily with early bougienage.