Balloon dilatation of oesophageal strictures in children.

During the last ten years balloon dilatation has become increasingly frequent in the therapy of oesophageal strictures, both for diagnosis and treatment. From 1983 to 1994, balloon catheterization was performed in 36 children (oesophageal atresia 28, tracheo-oesophageal fistula 3, congenital stenosis 1, acquired oesophageal stricture subsequent to gastro-oesophageal reflux 1, to caustic ingestion 3). Age at treatment varied from 2 weeks to 15 years. Thirty-nine (3 double) strictures were dilated a total of 171 times. Balloon dilatation was successful in 31 cases (79%). In two children therapy was changed to conventional bouginage and six strictures were resected. Advantages of the method may include that forces are exerted radially and that the procedure may be performed under better control since fluoroscopy is used.