PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Bawazir, Osama
AU  - Almaimani, Mohammed O.
TI  - Complications of esophageal strictures dilatation in children
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2020.7.25166
DP  - 2020 Jul 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 720--725
VI  - 41
IP  - 7
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/41/7/720.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/41/7/720.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2020 Jul 01; 41
AB  - Objectives: To report the results of endoscopic dilatation of esophageal strictures in children, its complications, and their management. The outcomes of esophageal dilatation differ according to the underlying etiology.Methods: The study included 46 patients who underwent esophageal dilatation between 2014-2019. All patients underwent a contrast study of the esophagus before endoscopic dilation to determine the location, number, and length of the narrowing. In addition, the type of dilators (balloon versus semi-rigid dilators), the number of dilatation sessions, the interval between them, and the duration of follow-up were also documented. The median age was 2.47 years, and 26 patients were females. Dysphagia was the main presenting symptom, and the leading cause of stricture was esophageal atresia.Results: The main treatment modality was endoscopic balloon dilatation (n=29, 63%). The esophageal diameter was significantly increased after dilation (9 [7-11] versus 12 [10-12.8]) mm; p<0.001). Topical mitomycin-C was used as adjuvant therapy in 3 patients (6.5%). Esophageal perforation was reported in 2 cases (4.3%). Patients needed a median of 3 dilatation sessions, 25-75th percentiles: 1-5, and the median duration between the first and last dilatation was 2.18 years 25-75th percentiles: 0.5-4.21.Conclusion: Esophageal dilatation is effective for the management of children with esophageal stricture; however, repeated dilatation is frequent, especially in patients with corrosive strictures. Complications are not common, and open surgery is not frequently required.