title: [Caustic burns of the esophagus in children: experience at the National Hospital and University Center of Cotonou].
abstract: Fifty-two children (mean age = 4.1 years) were admitted from 1992 to 1997 for an caustic burn of the oesophagus. Caustic ingestions were accidental in children less than 10 years old and mainly suicidal in older children. Burns were due to alkaline (82%), acids (14%), ou insecticide (4%). The ingested product was decanted from its original packing in 88% of cases. Thirty-six patients had an exclusive medical treatment, including a naso-gastric tube in 3. Endoscopic treatment included naso-gastric tube (n = 4) and bouginage (n = 5). An oesophagoplasty using a colonic transplant was performed in 8 children (15%), always after a previous feeding gastrostomy to improve the nutritional status. There was no operative mortality. These results conform with the main points of the literature. They underline the difficulties in the management of patients with caustic burns of the oesophagus and allow to determine preventive measures of this disease in children of Benin.
authors.affiliation: Clinique de Chirurgie Pédiatrique, Centre National Hospitalier et Universitaire (CNHU) de Cotonou, République du Bénin.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Agossou-Voyeme
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ayivi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001541:Benin; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D002424:Caustics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004106:Dilatation; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D004944:Esophagoplasty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D002424:Caustics