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Published on: April 17, 2020

Long-term management of corrosive esophageal stricture with balloon dilation in children

Abdulkerim Temiz1, Pelin Oguzkurt, Semire Serin Ezer

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

Surgical Endoscopy
|February 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Balloon dilation is a safe and effective treatment for corrosive esophageal strictures in children. Long-term results show clinical success and improvement in food intake, with few complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Interventional Endoscopy
  • Esophageal Diseases

Background:

  • Corrosive esophageal strictures pose a significant challenge in pediatric care.
  • Limited studies exist on the long-term efficacy and safety of balloon dilation for these strictures in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of balloon dilation for corrosive esophageal strictures in pediatric patients.
  • To assess the safety and effectiveness of this minimally invasive treatment modality.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 18 children (median age 3 years) treated with balloon dilation for caustic esophageal strictures.
  • Data collected from January 2001 to December 2008, encompassing 295 dilation sessions.

Main Results:

  • Technical success was achieved in all patients; clinical success after initial dilation was 44.4%.
  • Recovery was observed in 44.4% within the first year and an additional 33.3% within two years.
  • A single esophageal perforation (0.33%) occurred. The number of dilation sessions decreased significantly over time.

Conclusions:

  • Short-segment strictures, improved food intake, and increasing intervals between dilations are positive indicators.
  • Esophageal balloon dilation is a safe and effective treatment for pediatric corrosive esophageal strictures.
  • A treatment program of at least two years is recommended before considering alternative, higher-risk interventions.
Abstract

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