Modified continuous balloon dilatation substituting stenting in the treatment of benign esophageal stenosis in children / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the feasibility of using the modified continuous balloon dilatation substituting the traditional membrane-covered stent in the treatment of benign esophageal stenosis in children.Methods A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 25 cases with esophageal stenosis from January,2012 to February,2014 was conducted.Preoperative esophageal stenosis was confirmed by angiography,and the expansion of the stenosis segment was examined after 2-4 weeks postoperatively.According to the age and the location of the esophageal stricture,25 cases were classified into two groups.Twelve cases of group A without obvious contraindications were treated by continuous balloon dilatation,while 13 cases of group B with age of less than 3 years or upper esophageal stenosis,retrievable stent implantation was performed.All cases were followed up from 6 months to 2 years.Clinical symptoms,swallowing fluency and the degree of esophageal stricture were followed up at 1,3,and 6 months postoperatively,and the effect of treatment was evaluated.Results Two groups of patients were successfully treated,and the stents were removed successfully after 2-4 weeks.The average diameter of the stenosiswas significantly increased after treatment,swallowing was improved obviously,with no perforation,hematemesis and melena and other serious complications.The balloon moved down happened in one case,which was adjusted under perspective observation.One case in group A underwent colonic interposition for esophageal replacement because of recurrence of restenosis.The balloon dilatation was effective in 10 cases.In Group B,5 patients had stent migration or displacement,3 cases had recurrent esophageal stricture,and the treatment was effective in 5 cases.There was significant difference in complications between the group A and B (x2=5.23,P＜0.05).Conelusions Continuous balloon dilatation is a simple,effective procedure with fewer complications in the treatment of children with benign esophageal stenosis.In addition to stenting,it may be another ideal choice for benign esophageal stenosis in children.