Anastomotic Stricture Definition After Esophageal Atresia Repair: Role of Endoscopic Stricture Index.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic stricture index (SIEN) to define anastomotic strictures (ASs) and to predict the need of dilatations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted on patients who underwent esophageal atresia repair from 1998-2020 (ethical committee approval CHPED-05-20-AS). SIEN was calculated on the first endoscopy performed as follows: (D - d)/D, where D is the maximum diameter of lumen of the upper esophagus close to the AS and d is the diameter of lumen of the stricture. Nonparametric variables were examined using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test, and continuous variables were analyzed using Spearman's test and regression analysis. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of SIEN were also calculated, and a receiver operating characteristic curve was designed. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients were included in the study. A statistically significant correlation was found between SIEN and number of dilations (Spearman's correlation rate, 0.7; P < 0.0005). A SIEN threshold value ≥0.6 showed sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 80%, positive predictive value of 54%, negative predictive value of 100%, and the area under the curve of 84%. CONCLUSIONS: SIEN seems to be a good AS definer and prognostic tool; our study suggests that an AS could be defined by a SIEN ≥0.6.

Classification of Esophageal Strictures following Esophageal Atresia Repair.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to stratify anastomotic strictures (AS) following esophageal atresia (EA) repair and to establish predictors for the need of dilations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study on children operated on for EA between 2004 and 2014 was conducted. The stricture index (SI) was measured both radiologically (SIXR) and endoscopically (SIEND). A correlation analysis between the SI and the number of dilations was performed using Spearman's test and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: In this study, 40 patients were included: 35 (87.5%) presented with Gross's type C EA, 3 (7.5%) type A, 1 (2.5%) type B, and 1 (2.5%) type D. The mean follow-up time was 101 ± 71.1 months (range: 7.8-232.5, median: 97.6). The mean SIXR was 0.56 ± 0.16 (range: 0.15-0.86). The mean SIEND was 0.45 ± 0.22 (range: 0.15-0.85). Twenty-four patients (60%) underwent a mean of 2 endoscopic dilations (range: 1-9). The number of dilations was poorly correlated with SIXR, while significantly correlated with SIEND. Patients who did not need dilations had a SIEND < 0.33, patients who needed only one dilation had 0.33 ≤ SIEND < 0.44, and those with SIEND ≥ 0.44 needed two or more dilations. No significant association with other clinical variables was found. All patients were asymptomatic at the time of the first endoscopy. CONCLUSION: SIEND is a useful tool to classify AS and can represent a predictor of the need for endoscopic dilation. The role of the SIEND becomes even more important as clinical characteristics have a low predictive value for the development of an AS and the need for subsequent endoscopic esophageal dilatations.

Esophageal strictures and diverticula.

Esophageal disease and dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) manifesting as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) particularly, is the most common of all gastrointestinal conditions impacting patients on a day-to-day basis. LES dysfunction can lead to anatomic changes to the distal esophagus, with GERD-mediated changes being benign stricture or progression of GERD to Barrett's esophagus and even esophageal cancer, and LES hypertension impairing esophageal emptying with subsequent development of pulsion esophageal diverticulum. This article details the causes, clinical presentation, workup, and treatment of esophageal stricture and epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum. Other types of esophageal diverticula (Zenker's and midesophageal) are also covered.

Endoscopic management of difficult or recurrent esophageal strictures.

Esophageal strictures are a common problem in gastroenterological practice. In general, the management of malignant or benign esophageal strictures is different and requires a different treatment approach. In daily clinical practice, stent placement is a commonly used modality for the palliation of incurable malignant strictures causing dysphagia, whereas, if available, intraluminal brachytherapy can be considered in patients with a good performance status. Recurrent dysphagia frequently occurs in malignant cases. In case of tissue in- or overgrowth, a second stent is placed. If stent migration occurs, the stent can be repositioned or a second (preferably partially covered) stent can be placed. Food obstruction of the stent lumen can be resolved by endoscopic cleansing. The cornerstone of the management of benign strictures is still dilation therapy (Savary-Gilliard bougie or balloon). There are a subgroup of strictures that are refractory or recur and an alternative approach is required. In order to prevent stricture recurrence, steroid injections into the stricture followed by dilation can be considered. In case of anastomotic strictures or Schatzki rings, incisional therapy is a safe method in experienced hands. Temporary stent placement is a third option before considering self-bougienage or surgery as a salvage treatment. In this review, the most frequently used endoscopic treatment modalities for malignant and benign stricture management will be discussed based on the available literature, and some practical information for the management in daily clinical practice will be provided.

Stenting for benign esophageal strictures.

Benign esophageal strictures are a common problem in endoscopic practice. The predominant symptom of patients is dysphagia. The initial treatment option for a benign esophageal stricture is dilation. A subgroup of strictures, i. e., those that are long (> 2 cm), tortuous, and have a narrow diameter, tend to recur and are therefore called refractory. Temporary stent placement, either with a self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) or a self-expanding plastic stent (SEPS), can be considered in these patients. The results obtained so far are disappointing, with long-term clinical resolution of the stricture achieved in less than 50 % of patients. This is mainly due to hyperplastic tissue ingrowth or overgrowth (experienced with SEMS) and stent migration (SEPS). New stent designs are therefore needed for this indication. Initial results show that biodegradable stents have the promise to be useful for refractory benign esophageal strictures; however, this promise needs to be further elucidated in future studies.

Estenoses benignas de esôfago: abordagem endoscópica com velas de Savary-Gilliard / Benign strictures of the esophagus: endoscopic approach with Savary-Gilliard bougies

RACIONAL: As estenoses benignas de esôfago são complicações decorrentes de diversas causas. Possuem tratamentos similares, na maioria dos casos necessitando de dilatação endoscópica, no entanto a resposta terapêutica, tempo ideal de tratamento, assim como intervalo entre as sessões podem ser variáveis. OBJETIVO: Analisar, do ponto de vista endoscópico, as estenoses benignas de esôfago em 14 anos de experiência no Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, avaliando etiologia, a extensão da estenose, o número de dilatações necessário para atingir resposta terapêutica satisfatória, assim como a relação entre a extensão da estenose e a resposta terapêutica. MÉTODO: Foram analisadas 2.568 dilatações endoscópicas com uso de velas de Savary-Gilliard em 236 pacientes, durante um período de 14 anos e 10 meses, até junho de 2007. RESULTADOS: A estenose péptica foi a causa mais freqüentemente encontrada, seguida pela estenose cáustica. As estenoses longas e cáusticas necessitaram de maior número de sessões para ausência de disfagia. Estenoses pépticas e curtas responderam melhor a número menor de sessões de dilatação. CONCLUSÃO: A estenose péptica foi a causa mais comum e respondeu bem à terapia endoscópica, em concordância com a literatura. As estenoses cáusticas foram as mais refratárias, principalmente as longas. Quanto maior foi a extensão da estenose, também maior foi o número de sessões necessárias. Estenoses curtas apresentaram boa evolução na maioria dos casos. O número de dilatações necessárias dependeu diretamente da causa e da extensão da estenose.

BACKGROUND: Benign esophageal strictures are complications that result from different causes. They are usually similarly approached, most of the cases needing endoscopic dilation. However the response to therapy, optimal timing for treatment and interval between sessions can vary. AIM: The authors evaluate 14 years of experience with benign stricture of the esophagus from the endoscopic point of view in the "Clementino Fraga Filho" University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. They evaluated etiology, length of stricture, number of dilations needed to reach satisfactory therapeutic response, and the relation between length of stricture and therapeutic response. METHODS: We analyzed 2,568 endoscopic dilations using Savary-Gilliard dilators in 236 patients. The follow up period was 14 years and 10 months, until June of 2007. RESULTS: Peptic strictures were the more frequent, followed by caustic strictures. Long strictures and caustic strictures needed more sessions to abolish dysphagia. Peptic strictures and short ones had better response to a smaller number of sessions. CONCLUSION: In this study, peptic strictures were the commonest etiology and responded best to endoscopic therapy, in accordance with published literature. Caustic strictures were the most refractory, mainly the long segments. The longer the extension of stenosis, the greater was the number dilation sessions needed for relief. Short strictures had a good prognosis in the great majority of cases. The number of dilations depended directly on the etiology and the extension of the stricture.

[Benign strictures of the esophagus: endoscopic approach with Savary-Gilliard bougies]. / Estenoses benignas de esôfago: abordagem endoscópica com velas de Savary-Gilliard.

BACKGROUND: Benign esophageal strictures are complications that result from different causes. They are usually similarly approached, most of the cases needing endoscopic dilation. However the response to therapy, optimal timing for treatment and interval between sessions can vary. AIM: The authors evaluate 14 years of experience with benign stricture of the esophagus from the endoscopic point of view in the 'Clementino Fraga Filho' University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. They evaluated etiology, length of stricture, number of dilations needed to reach satisfactory therapeutic response, and the relation between length of stricture and therapeutic response. METHODS: We analyzed 2,568 endoscopic dilations using Savary-Gilliard dilators in 236 patients. The follow up period was 14 years and 10 months, until June of 2007. RESULTS: Peptic strictures were the more frequent, followed by caustic strictures. Long strictures and caustic strictures needed more sessions to abolish dysphagia. Peptic strictures and short ones had better response to a smaller number of sessions. CONCLUSION: In this study, peptic strictures were the commonest etiology and responded best to endoscopic therapy, in accordance with published literature. Caustic strictures were the most refractory, mainly the long segments. The longer the extension of stenosis, the greater was the number dilation sessions needed for relief. Short strictures had a good prognosis in the great majority of cases. The number of dilations depended directly on the etiology and the extension of the stricture.

Endoscopia digestiva intervencionista en Pediatría / Digestive interventional endoscopy in pediatrics

La endoscopia pediátrica se ha trasformado lenta y progresivamente de una técnica puramente diagnóstica en una técnica terapéutica de primer orden. Todo ello gracias a la evolución tecnoló- gica y a la miniaturización del equipamiento. Estos procedimientos invasivos son realizados con anestesia general y representan una pequeña intervención quirúrgica, por lo que debe protocolizarse el uso del consentimiento informado. Muchos de ellos son realizados habitualmente en las unidades de endoscopia pediátrica: extracción de cuerpos extraños, dilatación esofágica, gastrostomía endoscópica percutá- nea, polipectomía; para otras técnicas existen pocas indicaciones: esclerosis de varices esofágicas, hemostasia en hemorragia digestiva, achalasia, y otras, por su excepcionalidad, como la colangiopancreatografía endoscópica retrógrada, son realizadas en colaboración con los endoscopistas de adultos que poseen una mayor experiencia en este campo. La endoscopia terapéutica es una técnica segura, efectiva y posible de realizar en la mayoría de las unidades de endoscopia pediá- trica (AU)

With development and improvement of the endoscope equipment, the paediatric endoscopy is developing from the diagnosis endoscopy to the interventional endoscopy. It is realized under general anaesthesia as a minimal invasive surgery and it is necessary to regularize the legal requirements. The main acts are realized in a current way in paediatrics endoscopy units: extraction of foreign body, dilation of oesophageal strictures, gastrostomy, polipectomy. Other indications are less frequent: injection sclerotherapy, haemostasis of upper GI bleeding or endoscopic achalasia treatment. The biliary and/or pancreatic lesions is rare in children, in these cases, interventional endoscopy is usually done with the collaboration of the adult endoscopists, with a far experience. Interventional endoscopy is a safe and effective technique that can be performed in all the pediatrics endoscopy units (AU)

Barrett's esophagus complicated with stricture: correlation between classification and the results of the different therapeutic options.

Benign esophageal stricture is a serious complication of persistent gastroesophageal reflux in patients with esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus. A classification of the severity of the stricture is proposed, based on its internal diameter, its length, and the ease or difficulty in dilating it. Among 185 patients with esophageal strictures secondary to reflux esophagitis, 77 (41.6%) corresponded to type I or mild stricture, 73 (39.4%) to type II or moderate, and 35 (19.6%) to type III. Medical treatment was performed in only 15 cases, with 73% recurrence. Three types of surgical procedures were employed, always after dilatation, improvement of nutritional status, and a complete preoperative work-up: (1) conservative antireflux surgery, which had a high incidence of recurrence (41.1%); (2) acid suppression and duodenal diversion, in which 68 patients had a mortality rate of 2.9% and a recurrence rate of 4.4% (p <0.002); and (3) esophageal resection, which in 7 patients resulted in 1 death and no late recurrence. It is concluded that classification of the severity of the stricture is important to indicate the most appropriate treatment. Conservative antireflux surgery is followed by a high recurrence rate at late follow-up, whereas acid suppression and duodenal diversion seem to be an adequate procedure that is followed by a very low recurrence rate. Esophageal resection is indicated only for patients with severe or critical esophageal strictures.

[Acid burns in the oesophagus]. / Die Osophagusverätzung.

BACKGROUND: In the literature are different ways to treat patients with acid burns in the oesophagus. PATIENTS: Between 1989 and 1995, 169 patients were examined in the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic at the Olga Hospital, Stuttgart, with suspected acid burns in the oesophagus. The patients examined included 168 children under 13 years and one adult. If possible a rigid oesophagoscope was used to make the diagnosis. There were no complications. 17 patients had first degree acid burns, 37 second degree acid burns, 20 third degree acid burns. The patients with acid burns were treated with cortison and an antibioticum. Two of the patients with third degree acid burns developed scar strictures and these needed to be stretched. RESULTS: All patients were able to eat normally after the treatment had been completed. CONCLUSIONS: The rigid endoscopy has proved to be reliable for diagnosis and therapy in patients with acid burn in the oesophagus.

[Esophageal dilatation in pediatrics: study of 33 patients]. / Les dilatations oesophagiennes en pédiatrie: étude de 33 patients.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal dilatation is usually regarded as an effective therapy in a majority of esophageal stenosis in childhood. However, the limited number of pediatric data does not allow definite conclusions on indications and complications of such a procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The files of 33 children whose esophageal stenosis had been treated by dilatation by the same operator between 1983 and 1992 were retrospectively reviewed. The structure mechanisms were: group 1: repair of esophageal atresia (n = 9), group 2: caustic esophagitis (n = 6), group 3: peptic esophagitis (n = 12), group 4: unclassified structures (congenital esophageal stenosis, achalasia) (n = 6). The dilatations were performed under general anesthesia, and the dilatator guide was introduced under endoscopic control. Two methods were used: Savary esophageal bougies and balloon dilatation. A thoracic X-ray was systematically performed after each dilatation. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen dilatations (3.5 dilatations/child) were performed (range: 1-32 dilatations). Twenty-five of the 33 children (76%) were dramatically improved after mechanical dilatation. Esophageal dilatation was unsuccessful in the eight other patients, seven of them requiring a surgical repair. Complications occurred in 3.4% of the dilatations: one esophageal perforation, one pneumomediastinum and two cardiac arrests (one of vagal origin and 1 after accidental extubation). All patients survived. Efficacy, duration of dilatation and complication rates were not similar in the four groups. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal dilatation should be considered as a simple and effective procedure when strict security rules are respected by a trained operator.

Estenosis esofágicas en pediatría: dilatación mediante cateter balón / Pediatric esophageal strictures: balloon catheter dilatation

Se presenta una serie de 118 dilataciones esofágicas con catéter-balón bajo control radioscópico realizadas entre diciembre de 1989 y julio de 1994 en 35 pacientes (31 varones y 4 mujeres) cuyas edades oscilaron entre 2 meses y 15 años. Las causas de las estenosis fueron: ingestión de cáusticos (10 pacientes), atresia de esófago (13 pacientes), pépticas (4 pacientes), acalasia superior (2 pacientes), acalasia inferior (2 pacientes), epidermólisis bullosa (1 paciente), hiper Nissen (2 pacientes) y transección esofágica (1 paciente). Todos los procedimiento se realizaron bajo anestesia general. Los balones utilizados fueron de tipo angioplástico y esofágicos con diámetros de 3 a 19 mm. El número de dilataciones en cada paciente osciló entre 1 y 24 sesiones. Se describe la técnica, los resultados a largo plazo, las complicaciones ocurridas y se discuten las ventajas del método con respecto al procedimiento de dilatación mediante bujías rígidas y semirrígidas (AU)

Estenosis esofágicas en pediatría: dilatación mediante cateter balón / Pediatric esophageal strictures: balloon catheter dilatation

Se presenta una serie de 118 dilataciones esofágicas con catéter-balón bajo control radioscópico realizadas entre diciembre de 1989 y julio de 1994 en 35 pacientes (31 varones y 4 mujeres) cuyas edades oscilaron entre 2 meses y 15 años. Las causas de las estenosis fueron: ingestión de cáusticos (10 pacientes), atresia de esófago (13 pacientes), pépticas (4 pacientes), acalasia superior (2 pacientes), acalasia inferior (2 pacientes), epidermólisis bullosa (1 paciente), hiper Nissen (2 pacientes) y transección esofágica (1 paciente). Todos los procedimiento se realizaron bajo anestesia general. Los balones utilizados fueron de tipo angioplástico y esofágicos con diámetros de 3 a 19 mm. El número de dilataciones en cada paciente osciló entre 1 y 24 sesiones. Se describe la técnica, los resultados a largo plazo, las complicaciones ocurridas y se discuten las ventajas del método con respecto al procedimiento de dilatación mediante bujías rígidas y semirrígidas

Estenósis esofagica congenita

Se estima que la estenósis esofagica congénita ocurre en aproximadamente uno por cada 25.000 nacidos vivos. Presentamos dos casos clínicos, diagnosticados de Estenósis esofagica congénita, tratados en nuestro servicio de cirugía pediátrica. En el primer caso, se evidenció una zona estenótica en el tercio distal del esófago, con ausencia histológica de la capa muscular; y, en el segundo un anillo cartilaginoso constrictor. La cirugía ralizada fue una operación de Thal con procedimiento antirreflujo (Nissen) y piroplastia tipo Michkulicz. El control postoperatorio inicial fue faborable clínica y radiológicamente...

Surgical management of esophageal strictures.

Benign esophageal strictures may be caused by numerous disorders, but more than 90% of them are due to severe gastroesophageal reflux or ingestion of lye. A new classification of the severity of the stricture is proposed, based on the endoscopic and radiological evaluation of three parameters: internal diameter, length of the stricture and ease or difficulty of dilatation. In patients with strictures secondary to reflux, initial treatment includes periodic dilatation. Grade I and II strictures require esophageal resection. In grade III patients, bile diversion or esophageal resection should be performed. Caustic ingestion produces a wide spectrum of tissue damage in the upper digestive tract ranging from minimal chemical burn to an extensive and massive necrotic lesion. The basic and main treatment in patients with an established esophageal stricture is periodic dilatation avoiding, if at all possible, any kind of surgery. In patients with grade III stricture, colonic interposition between cervical esophagus and stomach or duodenum is preferred, treating the damaged esophagus by resection or leaving it "in situ". Psychiatric evaluation is mandatory in these cases.

Surgical management after failed antireflux operations.

From 1973 to 1989, 117 (28%) patients underwent re-operation for failed antireflux surgery from a total of 413 esophagogastric operations for gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Seventy-eight patients who underwent re-operation before 1984 were reviewed in detail for classification and long-term outcome. Forty re-operations followed a failed Nissen fundoplication, while no other procedure was the most recent prior operation in more than 10 patients. Re-operation rates were 3% following prior surgery in our clinic for reflux disease other than stricture and 9.6% if the prior operation was done for stricture. There was no difference in re-operation rates for the Belsey Mark IV or Nissen fundoplication, the 2 most commonly used repairs. In each case, complete pre-operative evaluations included symptom score, radiography, endoscopy, and esophageal function tests. Based on the results, the 78 patients were classified as pure sphincter mechanism failure to stop reflux (n = 14), pure esophageal clearance failure (n = 12), combined sphincter mechanism failure and clearance failure (n = 29), alkaline reflux (n = 9), or no reflux but another condition found (n = 14). Patients having symptoms following a prior Nissen fundoplication or Angelchik prosthesis insertion were more likely to have esophageal clearance failure than those having other repairs. The classification proved to be a useful guide to the need for and types of re-operation chosen. Among the 117 patients undergoing re-operation, there were 2 (1.7%) deaths within 3 months of surgery and 25 (21%) complications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Relevance of anatomopathology of high oesophageal strictures to the design of surgical treatment.

From 1971-1987, inclusive, 407 patients with oesophageal stricture were operated on by one surgeon. Of these, 116 were found to have high oesophageal stricture and form the basis of this presentation. Every patient had the usual clinical, radiological and endoscopic examinations with biopsies taken above, at, and (when possible) below the stricture. At operation, the surgical anatomy and pathology of the oesophagus and mediastinum were determined and the site of the peritoneal reflexion and its relation to the stricture were noted. In those resected, the resected specimen was examined histopathologically. Thus clear aetiopathology could be established and this was correlated with the type of operation. Postoperatively, patients were followed up regularly. Results showed that high strictures were of four definite types: (1) reflux strictures with short oesophagus (n = 90) of whom 52% required resection and 48% had conservative surgery, (2) caustic and other non-reflux strictures (n = 10) all of whom required resection, (3) Barrett-type strictures (n = 8) all treated by conservative surgery, (4) idiopathic strictures (n = 8) of whom half required resection because of suspicion of malignancy. The study indicated that the rational basis for the design of surgery is to ascertain the aetiopathology which can only and finally be determined at operation.