Laparoscopic resection of esophageal stricture with transgastric stapled anastomosis in a child with AIDS.

A tight stricture in the lower esophageal stricture in a child poses significant surgical challenges. We report the first case of a laparoscopically assisted resection of a distal esophageal stricture in a 2-year-old girl with clinical AIDS (CDC stage 3). The patient presented with dysphagia, vomiting, and progressive weight loss. A barium swallow confirmed a distal tight esophageal stricture in the lower esophagus. After the second dilatation attempt failed a gastrostomy was inserted and highly active antiretroviral therapy treatment commenced. Follow-up contrast studies showed a nearly complete obstruction of the distal esophagus. A laparoscopically assisted resection of the esophageal stricture with a primary stapled anastomosis was performed with good results. At follow-up 8 months postoperative the child was tolerating feeds well and thriving.