[ESOPHAGEAL STENOSIS IN CHILDREN: MEDICAL TREATMENT EXPERIENCE].

We present a retrospective evaluation of our experience in the period that goes from January 1992 to December 1998, clinical records of 58 patients ages from 2 months old to 15 years, male and female, who were treated at the GI service of Instituto de Salud del Ni o, were reviewed. All of them had esophageal stenosis and were included in the Esophageal Dilatation Program with Savary-Gilliard bougies. The causes of Esophageal Stenosis in the study were: Caustic agents 37.9%, gastro esophageal reflux (GER) 20.7%, surgery sequela 19.0%, related to esophageal esclerotherapy 12.1%, foreign body itself or maneuvers to retrieve them 8.6%, stomach adenocarcinoma invading the esophagus. Patients were classified in three groups: Group 1: stenosis due to caustic agents Group 2: stenosis due to GER Group 3: The remaining causes mentioned above., In each the following was calculated: the arithmetical media, the range of dilatations sessions and the total number of them. The higher figures took place in group 1. So we conclude that the number of sessions is directly related with the cause of the stenosis, requiring more number of dilatations to get a better response. Finally the response to treatment is evaluated considering a good response in 72.4%. A mild response in 15.5% and therapeutic failure in 12.1% of patients. The rate of complications was 10.3 per patient and 1.1 in relation to the total number of dilatation sessions. The main complications were: gastric perforation, duodenal perforation, pneumomediastinum, esophago-tracheal fistulae andi pseudodiverticulum formation, with resolution as seen in posterior controls. These complications occured after the proceeding took place. The treatment was installed according to each case. The patients with duodenal perforation died. We conclude that esophageal dilatations in infants with esophageal stenosis, of different ethiology, are secure and efficient.