Experience with esophageal stenting for caustic burns in children.

Seven children with deep circumferential esophageal burns were treated with antibiotics, steroids, and intraluminal silastic stents. Strictures did not develop if the esophagus was healed at the time the stent was removed. However, strictures developed if healing was incomplete. Esophageal stenting needs to be continued until healing has been demonstrated endoscopically.