The use of a retrievable self-expanding stent in treating childhood benign esophageal strictures.
OBJECTIVE
Esophageal stenting is a popular form of treatment of esophageal strictures in adults but is not widely used in children. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether esophageal stents could be used safely and effectively in the treatment of esophageal stenosis in children.


METHODS
Covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents were placed in 8 children with corrosive esophageal stenosis. The stents were removed 1 to 4 weeks after insertion.


RESULTS
The stents were placed in all patients without complications and were later removed successfully. After stent placement, all patients could take solid food without dysphagia. Stent migration occurred in one patient and so the insertion procedure was repeated to reposition the stent. During the 3-month follow-up period after stent removal, all children could eat satisfactorily. After 6 months, 2 children required balloon dilation (3 times in one and 5 times in the other). The dysphagia score improved in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the covered retrievable expandable stent is an effective and safe method in treating childhood corrosive esophageal stenosis.
Zhang
Chi
C
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shanghai Children Medical Center, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200092, P.R. China. zhangchi31@sina.com.cn
Yu
Ju-Ming
JM
Fan
Guo-Ping
GP
Shi
Cheng-Ren
CR
Yu
Shi-Yao
SY
Wang
Han-Ping
HP
Ge
Li
L
Zhong
Wei-Xing
WX
D000497:Alloys; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization; D002424:Caustics / Q000633:toxicity; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D020878:Device Removal; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D018583:Pliability; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000633:toxicity; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000633:toxicity; D013696:Temperature; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology
D000497:Alloys; D002424:Caustics; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; C013616:nitinol; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C033158:sulfuric acid; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid