Endoscopy Learning Library
Esophageal dilations
Filippo Torroni, Paola De Angelis, Renato Tambucci, Erminia Romeo, Francesca Rea, Simona Faraci, Tamara Caldaro, Giulia Angelino, Anna Chiara Contini, Giovanni Federici, Luigi Dall’Oglio
U.O.C. di Chirurgia ed Endoscopia Digestiva, Ospedale Pediatrico “Bambino Gesù” IRCCS, Roma
The most common indications for esopgaheal dilation in pediatric polpulation are corrosive strictures, post anastomotic strictures (e.g esopgaheal atresia), peptic strictures, congenital esophageal and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa strictures. Conservative management should be considered including different strategies: semirigid (bougie) or balloon dilators, stents and different adjuvant treatment strategy like corticosteroids (locally injection), topic application of mitomycina C and esophageal incision especially in refractory and recurrent strictures. ESGE/ESPGHAN guideline recommend esophageal dilation using balloon or bougies for benign esophageal strictures only when symptoms occur. No clear advantage of either balloon or bougie dilator has been demonstrated; therefore, the choice is based on operator experience and comfort with the equipment.