Guide wire dilatation of anastomotic strictures secondary to surgical repair of esophageal atresia

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the efficacy of esophageal guide wire dilatation of stricture after surgical treatment of esophageal atresia. This prospective and descriptive study was carried out at Department of Pediatric Surgery, The children's hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS], Islamabad from January 2008 to December 2011. It included 23 patients, 15 males and 8 females, aged one month to 3 years with esophageal stricture secondary to esophageal atresia who underwent guide wire esophageal dilatation with savary Gilliard Dilators. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Associated gastroesophageal reflux [GER]. was noted in 13 patients. Dilatation relieved the stricture in all patients over a follow-up period varying from 3 months to 3 years. Only two patients developed esophageal perforation, which was treated conservatively. Guide wire dilatation is a safe and effective method of treatment in the management of strictures secondary to surgical repair of esophageal atresia