胃镜直视下球囊扩张术治疗小儿食管狭窄

目的 探讨胃镜直视下球囊扩张治疗小儿食管狭窄的安全性和有效性.方法 12例食管狭窄患儿,其中食管闭锁术后吻合口狭窄7例、先天性食管狭窄3例、腐蚀性炎性狭窄2例,年龄5～59个月,在静脉复合麻醉和气管插管下,通过胃镜直视用控制辐射状扩张(CRE)三级扩张球囊行食管狭窄扩张.观察术后腹痛、黑便、呕吐的发生,同时随访术后3～12个月恢复饮食种类,狭窄口大小、营养情况.结果 12例共进行22次扩张,19次成功,3次术后出现并发症,扩张成功率为86%.12例中,3例扩张失败,9例扩张成功、症状改善,有效率为75%.扩张前狭窄口直径2～8 nun,3～12个月后复查胃镜和随访,狭窄口直径9～13mm,8例可进食固体食物、营养状况改善.结论 CRE三级食管球囊行食管狭窄扩张治疗,操作简单、效果确切,食道闭锁术后吻合口狭窄的扩张效果较好.     

先天性食管闭锁术后食管狭窄的诊治

目的 探讨本院9年先天性食管闭锁(esophageal atresia,EA)术后食管狭窄的诊治,期待提高EA患儿治愈率及生存质量.方法 随访1999年1月至2007年12月本院收治并手术的53例EA病例,总结术后食管狭窄的诊治情况.结果 手术的53例中29例(34.9%)全部经食管造影检查或胃镜直视下确诊为食管狭窄,其中27例(93.1%)扩张后症状缓解.1例(3.5%)放置镍钛合金自膨胀支架2周后治愈.1例(3.5%)出现食管穿孔.结论 球囊扩张是治疗EA术后食管狭窄的有效方法;早期诊断、积极有效地治疗食管狭窄能减少患病率,提高生存质量.     

食管闭锁患儿术后远期并发症及食管功能评价

目的 分析食管吻合术远期并发症及评价食管功能.方法 本研究追踪随访了1990～2007年间27例在新生儿期接受Ⅰ期食管端端吻合术的患儿.观察记录其出院后存在的并发症,包括:生长发育、进食吞咽困难、呼吸系统感染.通过应用食管造影、24h pH监测、24h食管测压手段对食管功能进行分析和评价.结果 平均随访时间(53.1±45.2)个月,48.1%患儿无临床不适表现,48.2%出现远期食管狭窄征象,同时伴有不同程度吞咽困难,22.2%食管狭窄伴严重进食困难者接受食管扩张.22.2%有病理性反流,食管测压结果显示70.3%有食管运动障碍,其中1/3不伴有吞咽困难症状.结论 吻合口狭窄、GER、食管运动障碍、呼吸系统感染等远期并发症基本上不影响患儿的正常生长发育和日常生活,严重的吻合口狭窄行食管扩张术后可以缓解.     

Endoscopic treatment of severe esophageal strictures in children by combined proximal and distal approaches

One patient with complete reobstruction following repair of congenital esophageal atresia and another with a severe esophageal stricture due to reflux esophagitis were treated successfully with endoscopic electroincision from both the proximal and distal ends combined with dilation by Tucker's endless bougie. There have been no previous reports of this technique being used for severe esophageal stenosis in children. This method can be applied safely to children with severe esophageal strictures in which no guidewire or other bougie can be passed, a clinical situation previously requiring open surgery. Correspondence to: A. Toyosaka     

Novel use of porcine extracellular matrix in recurrent stricture following repair of tracheoesophageal fistula

Anastomotic stricture is a common complication following repair of esophageal atresia (EA). Many factors are thought to contribute to stricture formation and a variety of management techniques have been developed. In this case report, we describe the treatment of a recurrent anastomotic stricture following repair of long-gap esophageal atresia. Porcine bladder extracellular matrix (ECM) was mounted on a stent and delivered endoscopically to the site of recurrent stricture. An appropriate positioning was confirmed using direct endoscopic visualization and intra-operative fluoroscopy. The patient recovered well with persistent radiographic and functional improvements in previous stricture.     

胸腔镜技术治疗先天性食管闭锁术后食管狭窄的相关因素分析

目的：探讨胸腔镜技术治疗先天性食管闭锁术后食管狭窄的可能影响因素,以规避部分有害因素,降低食管狭窄的发生率。方法回顾性分析2008年10月至2013年4月本院经胸腔镜治疗的46例先天性食管闭锁患儿临床资料,其中18例术后诊断为食管狭窄;拟定可能影响因素包括：手术时体重、手术日龄、缝合方式、胸腔镜手术学习曲线、食管盲端距离、呼吸机使用时间、胸腔引流管的使用、术后GER、吻合口漏及术后进食时间;按各因素条件使用Excel表将46例患儿相关资料建立数据库,先行单因素检验,再将可能的危险因素纳入多因素非条件Logistic模型,筛选出影响术后食管狭窄的危险因素。结果手术日龄、手术体重及胸腔镜手术学习曲线在单因素分析中存在差异,而食管盲端距离、吻合口漏及术后GER在单、多因素分析中均有不同,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论经胸腔镜治疗先天性食管闭锁术后食管狭窄主要与食管盲端距离、吻合口漏及GE R有关,预防措施主要是降低食管吻合口的紧张度,减少食管吻合口漏的发生和术后积极治疗GE R。     

Successful treatment of severe refractory anastomotic stricture in an infant after esophageal atresia repair by endoscopic balloon dilation combined with systemic administration of dexamethasone

A boy with a history of esophageal atresia repair received an esophagoesophagostomy at 14 months for a severe refractory anastomotic stricture, which had already required repeated balloon dilation with intralesional dexamethasone injection. Anastomotic leakage and stricture was again evident after the second surgery, and the patient underwent five procedures of balloon dilations with intralesional dexamethasone injection. Dysphagia was persistent and the patient required dilation every 2–3 weeks. After the sixth dilation, the patient was given 1 mg/kg per day of dexamethasone i.v. for 3 days. Dexamethasone i.v. was tapered during the following 3 days and finished at day 6. A week later, endoscopic findings showed an apparent improvement in the stricture. Another dilation was followed by 1 mg/kg per day dexamethasone i.v. for 7 days, and 0.75 kg/mg per day oral dexamethasone for another 7 days. The stricture improved completely and the anastomosis was patent after the second dilation. The patient is doing well without dysphagia and has not required additional dilation for over 18 months after the last dilation. Balloon dilation in combination with systemic dexamethasone administration may be an effective treatment that could substitute invasive techniques including surgical manipulation for severe refractory strictures.     

先天性食管闭锁12年疗效评价

目的分析本中心12年来先天性食管闭锁的手术方式及术后近远期并发症,探讨提高食管闭锁治愈率的临床方法。方法对1999年1月至2010年12月作者收治的139例食管闭锁患儿诊治过程、疗效及并发症的防治进行回顾性分析。结果总治愈率84．17％（111／139）,其中I型治愈率为100％（5／5）,111a型治愈率为60．71％（17／28）,IIIb型治愈率为83．81％（88／105）,V型治愈率为100％（1／1）。术后近期吻合口瘘的发生率为19．42％（27／139）。103例随访病例中,远期吻合口狭窄的发生率为24．27％（25／103）,25例接受食管狭窄球囊扩张术,年龄〈6个月者12例,平均扩张2．1次,年龄〉6个月者13例,平均扩张3．6次,21例扩张后症状明显缓解,4例放置食管人工支架辅助持续扩张2～4周后症状缓解。结论提高食管闭锁患儿治愈率需要早期诊断、加强术前术后的管理、改进手术方式以及积极有效地预防和治疗术后并发症。     

Dilations of anastomotic strictures over time after repair of esophageal atresia

Aim of the study

Anastomotic strictures commonly occur in patients undergoing surgery for esophageal atresia (EA). The primary aim of this study was to determine the age distribution of dilation procedures for anastomotic strictures over the patient’s childhood after reconstruction of EA. The secondary aim was to evaluate the effect of postoperative proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the frequency of dilations.

Methods

This observational study was conducted at a single tertiary center of pediatric surgery. The times that dilations of strictures were performed were assessed during three study periods: 1983–1995, 2001–2009, and 2010–2014. PPIs were not used during the first period, and then, respectively, for 3 and 12 months postoperatively. The indications for dilation were signs of obstruction and/or radiological signs of stricture.

Primary results

A total of 131 children underwent esophageal reconstruction, and of those, 60 (46%) required at least 1 dilation procedure for strictures. There were no differences in the frequencies of dilation procedures between the three study periods (28/66, 18/32 and 14/33, respectively; P = 0.42). The overall median number of dilations per patient was 3 (range 1–21) with no differences between the study periods. The differences between ages at which the first dilation was performed during each study period were significant, as follows: 7, 2, and 8 months, respectively (P = 0.03). Fiftyone percent of all dilation procedures were performed during the first year of life, 16% during the second year, and 33% during years 2–15. Four children (2%) underwent >12 dilations.

Conclusion

The first year of life was the time of greatest need for dilation of AS after reconstruction of EA; however, dilations were also performed several years later. PPIs did not affect the frequency of dilations during the first year of life.

     

Efficacy of postoperative elective ventilatory support for leakage protection in primary anastomosis of congenital esophageal atresia

Anastomotic complications after primary repair of congenital esophageal atresia (EA) are recognized and feared complications. A close association exists between anastomotic leakage and the tension of the anastomosis on the suture line. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative elective ventilation support (PEVS) under paralysis with neck flexion after primary repair of EA. Forty-two EA patients; 4 cases with type A and 38 with type C by Gross classification received primary or delayed primary anastomosis between 1979 and 2003. PEVS has been introduced in the postoperative management of all EA cases since 1998. Vecuronium bromide was administered together with fentanyl citrate for five postoperative days. Patients were retrospectively divided into two groups: with or without PEVS management. There was no difference in operation data such as gastrostomy construction, gap between esophageal upper and lower pouch, primary or delayed primary anastomosis. PEVS under paralysis with neck flexion reduced postoperative anastomotic leakages in primary anastomosis with or without a Livaditis procedure. PEVS did not adversely increase anastomotic stricture, atelectasis, severe gastro-esophageal reflux, prolong days on ventilatory support or decrease survival rate. PEVS is an effective management method to decrease anastomotic complications for EA neonates.     

High doses of steroids in the management of caustic esophageal burns in children]

Esophageal burns are frequent in some countries. Esophageal stricture is a severe complication after caustic ingestion. Its frequency is estimated to 5% and reaches 47% in severe esophagitis. AIM OF THE STUDY: To study the influence of management of severe esophageal burns with high doses of steroids in the occurrence of esophageal stricture through the experience of an endoscopic unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six children with a mean age of 3.5 years (15 months-8 years) with a second b- (N =22) or a third-degree (N =4) esophageal burns due to accidental ingestion of a caustic substance were included between 1993 and 1999. Corrosive substances ingested were sodium hydroxide (N =17), bleach (N =4), alkali (N =3), others (N =2). Upper GI endoscopy was performed in 17 children within the 24 hours of caustic ingestion and within the first 48 hours in all cases. All patients received methylprednisolone (1 g/1.73 m2/day) plus cimetidine and ampicillin plus early oral feeding resumption. RESULTS: Three children (2 grade II et one grade I) were not controlled on day 30 of the protocol and have then been excluded. The remaining 23 children were divided in two groups depending on the upper GI endoscopic results: group I of 12 patients completely or partially healed and group II of 11 patients who developed an esophageal stricture. No difference was observed between the two groups with regard to the delay between caustic ingestion and the start of treatment and the number of shots of methylprednisolone. Second b- degree esophagitis complicated with an esophageal stricture underwent a median of five esophageal dilations (1-12). After a median follow-up of three years, four of them have a normal esophagus. All children with a third-degree esophagitis developed an esophageal stricture. One had a surgical replacement of the esophagus with a segment of colon with good outcome. The three others underwent a median of seven esophageal dilations (5-10). One of them has a normal esophagus after a follow-up of five years while the two others were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: High dose of corticosteroids seems to improve second b-degree esophagitis prognosis and may prevent from esophageal stricture.     

食管闭锁术后并发症发生的影响因素研究

目的 探讨Ⅲ型食管闭锁患儿基础条件及术中处理因素与术后并发症发生率之间的关系.方法 对2012年1月至2016年8月实施根治手术的Ⅲ型食管闭锁76例患儿进行回顾性分析.男49例,女27例,年龄10 h～22d,平均(3.79±3.81)d,体重1.38～4.3 kg,平均(2.73±0.58)kg.所有患儿均伴有不同程度肺炎,38例(50％)合并心血管等其他系统畸形.73例行经胸开放手术,3例胸腔镜下手术.根据术后有无并发症、食管盲端间距长度(＞2 cm及≤2cm)、患儿出生体重(＞2 500 g及＜2 500g)以及是否合并其他畸形等分别进行统计学分析.结果 全组76例患儿无住院死亡,随访1～55个月.术后3～4 d吻合口漏2例,均立即再次行手术治愈;吻合口狭窄19例,其中16例手术1个月后在胃镜下行球囊扩张1～6次后好转,3例术后狭窄严重,手术治疗后正常.气管狭窄2例,其中1例行气管支架治疗.随访期间死亡2例,均为反复性感染家长放弃治疗.术前食管盲端间距＞2 cm组和≤2cm组、出生体重＞2 500 g组和＜2 500 g组、合并心血管畸形组和不合并心血管畸形组出现并发症的患儿分别为41.67％(15/36)和15.00％(6/40)、16.98％(9/53)和52.17％(12/23)、51.85％(14/27)和16.33％(8/49),差异有统计学意义.无并发症组和有并发症组手术时间分别为(135.3±27.2)min、(136.8±34.3)min,差异无统计学意义.结论 食管闭锁患儿术后并发症的发生率与出生体重、食管盲端间距、是否有合并症有一定相关性,术后并发症的发生率与手术时间等因素无明显相关.     

Esophageal stricture in children: fiber-optic endoscopy and dilatation under fluoroscopic control.

We made a retrospective analysis of the efficacy and complication rate of 268 esophageal dilatation procedures performed under fluoroscopic control using the fiber-optic endoscope in 45 children with esophageal stricture. Antegrade and retrograde stricture dilatation was performed under general anesthetic, mainly as an outpatient procedure. Thirty-six children had an esophageal stricture following tracheoesophageal fistula and/or esophageal atresia repair, and nine children had severe corrosive stricture of the esophagus following lye ingestion. The procedure was well tolerated and effective.     

Steroid pulse therapy prevents restenosis following balloon dilatation for esophageal stricture

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous steroid pulse therapy following balloon dilatation for esophageal stenosis and stricture in children.

Methods

The study enrolled six children, including three with congenital esophageal stenosis and three with anastomotic strictures after surgery for esophageal atresia, all of whom were treated by balloon dilatation combined with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Methylprednisolone was injected intravenously at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day for 2 days, starting from the day of dilatation, followed by 10 mg/kg/day for 2 days, for a total of 4 days.

Results

Esophageal stricture recurred in all three patients with congenital esophageal stenosis despite repeated balloon dilatation without methylprednisolone. However, the symptoms of dysphagia improved and did not recur after systemic steroid pulse therapy following balloon dilatation. Symptoms also resolved in all three patients with anastomotic strictures following balloon dilatation with systemic steroid pulse therapy. All six patients remained asymptomatic after 6–21 months follow-up, with no complications.

Conclusion

Intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy following balloon dilatation is safe and effective for the treatment of esophageal stenosis and strictures in children.

     

Evaluation of the intraoperative risk factors for esophageal anastomotic complications after primary repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula

Purpose

The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors for esophageal anastomotic stricture (EAS) and/or anastomotic leakage (EAL) after primary repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) in infants.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of 52 patients with congenital EA/TEF between January 2000 and December 2015 was conducted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for anastomotic complications.

Results

Twenty-four patients were excluded from the analysis because they had insufficient data, trisomy 18 syndrome, delayed anastomosis, or multi-staged operations; the remaining 28 were included. Twelve patients (42.9 %) had anastomotic complications. EAS occurred in 12 patients (42.9 %), and one of them had EAL (3.57 %). There was no correlation between anastomotic complications and birth weight, gestational weeks, sex, the presence of an associated anomaly, age at the time of repair, gap between the upper pouch and lower pouch of the esophagus, number of sutures, blood loss, and gastroesophageal reflux. Anastomosis under tension and tracheomalacia were identified as risk factors for anastomotic complications (odds ratio 15, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.53–390.0 and odds ratio 8, 95 % CI 1.33–71.2, respectively).

Conclusion

Surgeons should carefully perform anastomosis under less tension to prevent anastomotic complications in the primary repair of EA/TEF.

     

Achalasia: diagnosis, management, and clinical course in 16 children

Clinical features, radiographic and esophageal manometry findings, and treatment results in 16 patients less than 15 years old with achalasia are described. Esophageal manometry performed in 15 patients showed results similar to those found in adults: (1) increased resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure, (2) incomplete or failure of relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter on swallowing, and (3) ineffective or absence of peristalsis in all. The most common symptoms in the 16 patients were: dysphagia in 15, postprandial vomiting in 13, and retrosternal pain in five. The average duration from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 28 months. The esophagram was diagnostic in all patients. Pneumatic dilation was the initial treatment in eight and was successful for more than 1 year in five. Two patients required two dilations and were then symptom-free for more than 1 year, but required a Heller myotomy. The remaining patients underwent Heller myotomy following failure of the second dilation. Three patients underwent myotomy and two patients had myotomy with fundoplication as initial treatment; only one remained symptomatic. Esophageal dilation using a pneumatic dilator should be the initial treatment of choice in school-aged children. However, if more than two dilations are required within 1 year, surgical management is recommended.     

Proposal of a novel method to evaluate anastomotic tension in esophageal atresia with a distal tracheoesophageal fistula

Anastomotic tension with the potential to lead to post-operative complication is usually evaluated using gap length before anastomosis in patients with esophageal atresia and a distal tracheoesophageal fistula (EA with a TEF). However a uniform, accurate measurement of gap length is not possible and estimation of the length the delicate distal esophageal stump is stretched by the anastomosis may have greater utility. The aim of this paper was to propose a novel method to evaluate the anastomotic tension in EA with a TEF. Forty consecutive patients having EA with a TEF were studied. Primary anastomosis without gastrostomy was performed in all cases. When the TEF was cut off, the most proximal site of the tracheal side was marked using a tiny metallic clip. When anastomosis was completed, the distance from the clip to the anastomotic site was measured as the stretched length. On the esophagram taken subsequently, the same distance was measured, together with the distance from the clip to the esophago-cardiac junction as the original distal esophageal length. The stretching ratio was calculated by dividing the former by the latter. The stretched length on esophagram (median: 3.0 mm, range: −12 to 21) was significantly correlated with that measured during surgery (median: 2.3 mm, range; −14 to 15) (r=0.96, P<0.0001). The median of original distal esophageal lengths was 60.0 mm (range: 35–80). The stretching ratio was significantly correlated with the stretched length, and the number of the stretching ratio as a percentage corresponded to about double the number of the stretched length on esophagram in millimeters (y=1.91x+0.58, r=0.98, P<0.0001). Anastomotic leakage and recurrence of TEF were not experienced. In patients complicated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER), the site of TEF was significantly more distal as compared with the other cases [median (range): 5.0th (4.0–6.0) vs 3.5th (1.5–5.0) thoracic vertebral level, P<0.009]. The stretched length and the stretching ratio were also longer and larger, respectively [median (range): 10.0 mm (6–21) vs 2.0 (−12 to 14) mm, P<0.008, 17.3% (12.7–47.7) vs 2.9% (−16.4 to 29.8)%, P<0.018). Similar tendencies were observed for patients complicated with stricture. Estimation of the stretched length of the distal esophageal stump is useful to evaluate the anastomotic tension. If the stretched length is more than 10 mm, it will be necessary to consider the possibility that stricture or GER may arise afterwards.     

Long-term follow-up results after surgical repair of esophageal atresia

Fiftytwo of 55 children, surviving surgical repair of tracheo-esophageal fistula between 1975 and 1985, were reviewed in relation to birth weight and Waterston's risk group after a mean follow-up of 7.5 years. The long-term results of esophageal atresia patients seem good in 30% of the follow-ups. Esophageal dysfunctions and respiratory difficulties were found respectively in 23 (44.2%) and 26 (50%) of the children; all the patients were improving after the first years of life. Scoliosis affected 27 children (51.9%) and its incidence increased with growth. Waterston's classification was a poor prognostic guide, but children weighing less than 2500 g at birth remained of relatively lower weight. The frequent development of scoliosis with age leads to continue evaluations after that respiratory and alimentary problems which might occur in the early years have been overcome.     

The role of prophylactic chest drainage in the operative management of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula

Introduction  Anastomotic leakage and respiratory complications are among the most common and potentially life-threatening complications following the surgical repair of esophageal atresia. Controversies exist regarding the efficacy of prophylactic extrapleural chest tube (EPCT) drainage in patients who have undergone repair of esophageal atresia. Materials and methods  In this prospective study, 50 newborns with esophageal atresia and distal tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-DTEF) were randomized into two groups, with no significant differences regarding gender ratio, birth body weight and delivery status. Group 1 (n = 29) underwent a right thoracotomy and a single-stage extrapleural esophageal anastomosis. Group 2 (n = 21) received additionally an intraoperative EPCT next to the anastomosis. These groups were then compared with regard to postoperative respiratory complications (such as respiratory distress, pneumonia, pneumothorax, lung collapse, and apnea), anastomotic leakage, need for mechanical ventilation, time on mechanical ventilation, and outcome. Statistical analyses were performed with Mann–Whitney U test, Fisher’s exact test, and binary logistic regression analysis. Results  The rates of respiratory complications and anastomotic leakage, need for mechanical ventilation, time on mechanical ventilation, and mortality rate were comparable between the two groups (P > 0.05). Mortality was associated with respiratory complications (P = 0.003) and anastomotic leakage (P = 0.007). Conclusion  It seems that prophylactic EPCT drainage does not decrease the early postoperative respiratory complications and mortality rates in newborns with EA-DTEF.