[Esophageal dilatation in pediatrics: study of 33 patients]. / Les dilatations oesophagiennes en pédiatrie: étude de 33 patients.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Esophageal dilatation is usually regarded as an effective therapy in a majority of esophageal stenosis in childhood. However, the limited number of pediatric data does not allow definite conclusions on indications and complications of such a procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The files of 33 children whose esophageal stenosis had been treated by dilatation by the same operator between 1983 and 1992 were retrospectively reviewed. The structure mechanisms were group 1 repair of esophageal atresia (n = 9), group 2 caustic esophagitis (n = 6), group 3 peptic esophagitis (n = 12), group 4 unclassified structures (congenital esophageal stenosis, achalasia) (n = 6). The dilatations were performed under general anesthesia, and the dilatator guide was introduced under endoscopic control. Two methods were used Savary esophageal bougies and balloon dilatation. A thoracic X-ray was systematically performed after each dilatation. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen dilatations (3.5 dilatations/child) were performed (range 1-32 dilatations). Twenty-five of the 33 children (76%) were dramatically improved after mechanical dilatation. Esophageal dilatation was unsuccessful in the eight other patients, seven of them requiring a surgical repair. Complications occurred in 3.4% of the dilatations one esophageal perforation, one pneumomediastinum and two cardiac arrests (one of vagal origin and 1 after accidental extubation). All patients survived. Efficacy, duration of dilatation and complication rates were not similar in the four groups. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal dilatation should be considered as a simple and effective procedure when strict security rules are respected by a trained operator.