title: [Endoscopic dilatation of caustic esophageal strictures].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the results of endoscopic dilatation in caustic esophageal strictures and to analyze the factors associated with a favorable response.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective study of 33 patients who underwent dilatation with Savary bougie between 1989 and 2001. Response to initial dilatation and outcome during follow-up were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 50 years (8-83) and 58% were women. Intake was accidental in 29 (88%). In all patients, the caustic substance ingested was alkali. Dilatation was started in the acute phase in 12 patients (36%) and 13 presented inflammatory phenomena adjacent to the stenosis. During initial dilatation, 2 1.6 sessions (2-18) were performed and a favorable response was obtained in 18 patients (54%). At the end of follow-up, 68% of the patients presented satisfactory health status. The comparative study revealed that statistically significant variables for a favorable response to treatment were: accidental alkali intake, instauration of treatment in the chronic phase, absence of inflammatory phenomena, and a small number of initial dilatation sessions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our series, more than half the patients with esophageal stenosis due to intake of corrosive alkalis showed a favorable initial response. In these patients with acute-phase stenosis who required a greater number of initial dilatation sessions, endoscopic therapy was less effective.
authors.affiliation: Unidad Clínica de Aparato Digestivo. Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía. Córdoba. España. anaranjor@meditex.es
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: López Vallejos
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: García Sánchez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naranjo Rodríguez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gálvez Calderón
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hervás Molina
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chicano Gallardo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miño Fugarolas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000468:Alkalies / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000468:Alkalies