title: Clinical profile and management options of children with congenital esophageal stenosis: A single center experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to review 7 patients with congenital esophageal stenosis treated in our institution from a diagnostic and therapeutic point of view.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective cohort study of 7 patients treated in Christian Medical College, Vellore from 2008 to 2014. The data were analyzed with regards to age at onset of symptoms, investigative findings, age at definitive treatment, pathology, modalities of treatment, and outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptoms started within the 1(st) year of life in all children with a median age of 4 months. The time of delay in diagnosis ranged from 8 months to 81 months with a mean period of 37 months. About 6 patients had a lower esophageal stenosis and 1 patient had a mid-esophageal stenosis. About 4 of the 7 children underwent endoscopic balloon dilatation from elsewhere, with 2 of the above 4 undergoing a myotomy for a wrongly diagnosed achalasia. The number of dilatations ranged from 2 to 7 with a mean of 4 dilatations. Resection of the stenotic segment with end to end anastomosis was employed in 6 of the 7 patients, and a transverse colon interpositioning was done in 1 patient. An antireflux procedure was performed in one patient. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed tracheobronchial remnant in 3 patients, fibromuscular thickening in 3 patients, and membranous web in 1 patient. Postoperatively, 2 of the 7 patients had asymptomatic gastroesophageal reflux and 1 patient had postoperative stricture requiring one session of endoscopic balloon dilatation. The mean follow-up period was 42 months (range 18-72 months). At the time of the last follow-up, all 7 patients were able to eat solid food, and none of the children were found to have symptoms suggestive of obstruction or gastroesophageal reflux. There was a statistically significant increase in the weight for age after the operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Congenital esophageal stenosis is rare and often confused with other causes of esophageal obstruction. Although endoscopic balloon dilatation offers an effective temporary relief, we feel that definitive surgery is curative. Long-term results following definitive surgery have been good, especially with respect to symptoms and weight gain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Jujju Jacob
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kurian
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jehangir
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Isaac Tharu
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Reju Joseph
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mathai
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Sampath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karl
keywords: Congenital esophageal stenosis; fibromuscular stenosis; membranous diaphragm; tracheobronchial remnant