Endoscopic dilatation of esophageal strictures in children : causes and outcome in 47 patients

Abstract EN

Background and Objectives Esophageal strictures in children have serious effects on the child health; the advances in digestive endoscopy opened the door for many therapeutic options, mainly endoscopic dilatation.

The aim of the current study was to assess the causes of esophageal strictures in children and the outcome of endoscopic dilatation in Kurdistan center for gastroenterology and hepatology.

Methods Retrospective study of 47 children with esophageal strictures undergone endoscopic dilatation at Kurdistan center for gastroenterology and hepatology.

Results The predominant cases were corrosive strictures 46.8%, followed by postoperative 25.6% and peptic 21.3% strictures.

They were submitted to 257 dilatation sessions, patients with corrosive strictures required more dilatation sessions and were discharged later than the other causes for esophageal stricture.

Forty patients 85.1% were discharged; three were referred to surgery, while four are still undergoing the dilatation sessions.

Esophageal perforation complicated the course in 2 cases (0.8% per procedure).

Conclusion Endoscopic dilatation of esophageal strictures in children is a relatively safe procedure with good results and low rate of complications.