Effectiveness of endoscopic balloon dilatation in grade 2a and 2b esophageal burns in children

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the predictability of the initial endoscopic evaluation of the effectiveness of endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) in childhood esophageal strictures caused by corrosive ingestion.

Material and methods: Medical records of 635 endoscopies caused by corrosive ingestion between January 2000 and December 2015 in children between the ages of 0 and 18 years were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, five children with grade 2a and 15 with grade 2 b who developed esophageal strictures were evaluated for the effectiveness of endoscopic balloon dilatation.

Results: The stricture rate was 5/136 (3.6%) in grade 2a and 17/25 (68%) in grade 2 b esophageal burns. Strictures with grade 2a burn had seven (1–10) EBD sessions, and grade 2 b had 8.8 (1–30) EBD sessions. For grade 2a burns, the treatment period was 15 months and 18.8 months for grade 2 b burns. Three patients with grade 2 b and two patients with grade 2a are still on the EBD program.

Conclusion: Initial endoscopy for caustic ingestion and esophageal injury grading may help to provide healthcare givers with information about future stricture formation and management.

Keywords:

• Corrosive
• esophagus
• strictures
• dilatation
• children

Declaration of interest

Dr. Hakan Taşkınlar, Dr. Gökhan Berktuğ Bahadır, Dr. Doğakan Yiğit, Dr. Cankat Erdoğan, Dr. Dinçer Avlan and Dr. Ali Naycı report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.The authors declared that this study has received no financial support.