[Caustic esophageal stenosis in children: report and prevention]

From 1976 to 1988, 22 caustic burns of the esophagus in children were treated by retrograde dilatations (21 cases), by surgical resection and end-to-end anastomosis (2 cases) and by myotomy of the residual stricture after 12 to 18 months retrograde dilatations (4 cases). 3 deaths are recorded which might have been avoided; the treatment was successful in 11 cases and failed in 4 cases which led to the replacement of the esophagus; dilatations are being continued in 4 cases. In view of these results, the choice of the treatment should not be restricted either to conservative treatment continued in spite of poor results or systematic surgical replacement of the esophagus at an early stage. Furthermore, the use of an intraluminal splint has proved efficient in preventing esophageal stricture in 4 cases of caustic burns at stage III.