2021 Volume 57 Issue 6 Pages 952-958
Purpose: We investigated the clinical characteristics of congenital esophageal stenosis and whether balloon dilation is useful as first-line therapy for all types of congenital esophageal stenosis.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients with congenital esophageal stenosis, who were treated at three hospitals including the Osaka Women’s and Children’s Hospital between January 2001 and December 2018. We reviewed esophagographic findings, treatments administered and clinical outcomes.
Results: This study included 31 patients (21 men and 10 women). Associated anomalies were found in 23 patients, among whom 19 presented with tracheoesophageal fistula. Initial therapies included balloon dilation in 20 patients, primary radical surgery in two, and endoscopic radial incision in one. Among the 20 patients who underwent balloon dilation, 19 were successfully treated; however, one required subsequent radical surgery. Angles formed by the esophageal wall were smaller in patients with tracheoesophageal fistula than in those without this anomaly. Esophageal perforation secondary to balloon dilation occurred in 10 patients (50%); however, all patients were successfully treated using conservative therapy.
Conclusions: Balloon dilation is useful as first-line therapy for congenital esophageal stenosis regardless of the disease types, clinical characteristics and association with tracheoesophageal fistula.
