OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic balloon dilatation, stenting and surgery in treating corrosive esophageal stricture of children.

METHODWe retrospectively analyzed the management of 31 children who were treated with endoscopic balloon dilatation, stenting or gastric tube esophagoplasty because of corrosive esophageal stricture between August 2005 and December 2012. Dysphagia was graded into 4 grades according to Stooler grading methods. The efficacy was divided into 3 grades which were very effective, effective and ineffective according to the improvement of dysphagia.

RESULTAmong 31 children with corrosive esophageal stricture, in 22 children the problem was caused by alkali, in 9 by acid; 23 children had long-segment stricture and 8 had short-segment stricture. The number (rates) of cases in whom the endoscopic balloon dilatation was very effective, effective, and ineffective were 12 (38.7%) , 7 (22.6%) , 12 (38.7%) , respectively. The number of cases in whom stenting was effective or ineffective was 1 and 3, respectively. The gastric tube esophagoplasty was very effective and effective in 8 and 2 cases, respectively. Total rates of very effective, effective, and ineffective of 3 treatments were 64.5%, 29%, 6.5% respectively. The efficacy of endoscopic balloon dilatation was better in short-segment stricture and bigger caliber stricture, the efficacy was not so good for other types of strictures. The efficacy of balloon dilatation was not related with the nature of substances (either alkaline or acidic). Compared with very effective group, the ineffective group with longer course of disease before dilatation (t = -2.091, P = 0.048) , smaller stricture calibre (t = 2.855, P = 0.009) , longer stricture segment (t = -3.405, P = 0.003) and longer dilatation time (t = -2.103, P = 0.047) , had statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONEndoscopic balloon dilatation was the preferred treatment for corrosive esophageal stricture of children. The efficacy was better in shorter course of disease, short-segment stricture and bigger caliber stricture, for other situations the efficacy was not so good. The efficacy of balloon dilatation was not related with the nature of substances.Stent or surgery can be considered if efficacy of balloon dilatation was not so good.Gastric tube esophagoplasty is an effective treatment for complicated corrosive esophageal stricture.