[Assessment of a thirty year long experience in treatment of esophageal caustic stenosis (author's transl)].

Among 457 esophageal stenosis treated between 1954 and 1977, 258 (56%) were caustic stenosis. The treatment of those is the most difficult. Functionnal healding was satisfactory in 93% of the treated cases by dilatations. Four strict rules ought to be observed in the management of this cases. Immediate and long terme antibiotic treatment of the corrosive esophagitis. X rays are the only means to be used during evolution of corrosive esophagitis. No instrumental performance until sufficient cicatrization. Retrograde dilatations after gastrostomy shall be prefered in serious cases. Gastro-esophageal reflux may complicate this evolution and require surgery. Total esophageal replacement can be averted in most cases.