Long-term dilatation of caustic strictures of the oesophagus.

Caustic strictures of the oesophagus (CSO) in children are managed in different ways. Our study looks into the results of long-term dilatation of such strictures. Of 109 children admitted to our hospital with caustic ingestion, 10 developed strictures. The dilatations were carried out for periods varying from 9 months to 4 years. While 3 patients needed surgical treatment, 7 did not and did well. The oesophageal perforation rate with dilatations was only 0.47% (2 perforations from a total of 424 dilatations). Long-term dilatations are successful in managing a majority of CSO in children and are associated with minimal complications.