Unusual problems in oesophageal surgery in childhood

Unusual problems in oesophageal surgery in childhood include problems seen both frequently and infrequently. The former includes oesophageal atresia, peptic oesophagitis and corrosive oesophagitis; the latter includes such conditions as neonatal rupture of the oesophagus, explosive rupture of the oesophagus, achalasia of the cardia, pharyngo-oesophageal fibromatosis, nasogastric intubation stricture and stricture in the immunologically compromised patient. Examples of all of these conditions have been presented and reference has also been made to a wide variety of other conditions which have been reported in the literature. Because diagnostic delay is relatively common it is important for the paediatric surgeon carefully to evaluate the symptom of dysphagia when it is present and appreciate the fact that although organic disease in childhood is relatively uncommon there are many conditions which demand diagnosis and appropriate treatment.