Effectiveness of endoscopic balloon dilatation in grade 2a and 2b esophageal burns in children

AbstractPurpose: To evaluate the predictability of the initial endoscopic evaluation of the effectiveness of endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) in childhood esophageal strictures caused by corrosive ingestion.Material and methods: Medical records of 635 endoscopies caused by corrosive ingestion between January 2000 and December 2015 in children between the ages of 0 and 18 years were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, five children with grade 2a and 15 with grade 2 b who developed esophageal strictures were evaluated for the effectiveness of endoscopic balloon dilatation.Results: The stricture rate was 5/136 (3.6%) in grade 2a and 17/25 (68%) in grade 2 b esophageal burns. Strictures with grade 2a burn had seven (1–10) EBD sessions, and grade 2 b had 8.8 (1–30) EBD sessions. For grade 2a burns, the treatment period was 15 months and 18.8 months for grade 2 b burns. Three patients with grade 2 b and two patients with grade 2a are still on the EBD program.Conclusion: Initial endoscopy for caustic ingest...