Diagnosis and treatment of late-onset portal vein stenosis after pediatric living-donor liver transplantation

Purpose

Portal vein stenosis is a relatively rare complication after living-donor liver transplantation, which sometimes leads to a life-threatening event owing to gastrointestinal bleeding or graft failure. This study sought to evaluate the diagnoses and management of late-onset portal vein stenosis in pediatric living-donor liver transplants.

Materials and Methods

Since September 2001, we performed 123 living-donor liver transplant procedures in 120 children, among which 109 children with a functioning graft at 6 months after living-donor liver transplant are included in this analysis. Seven instances of portal vein stenosis were diagnosed and were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The median age of the children was 5.3 years, and the median body weight was 19.2 kg. Portal vein stenosis was diagnosed at 11.2 ± 3.1 months after living-donor liver transplantation. Whereas 3 children were asymptomatic, splenomegaly and/or massive ascites were observed in the remaining 4. Additionally, platelet counts were below the normal limit in 4 children. All children were treated with transhepatic balloon dilatation except 1. Intraluminal stent placement was needed in 1 child owing to resistance of balloon dilatation. The mean pressure gradient decreased from 12.4 to 3.2 mmHg after successful treatment. We did not observe any treatment-related complications. Portal venous patency was maintained in all children during posttreatment follow-up of 43.2 ± 20.4 months. There were no recurrences of portal vein stenosis. One child died; the remaining 6 children are alive with good graft function at 49.8 ± 23.9 months of follow-up.

Conclusion

Although most portal vein stenosis is asymptomatic, splenomegaly and platelet counts are 2 important markers for portal vein stenosis. Early detection of portal vein stenosis with these 2 markers can lead to successful interventional percutaneous approaches and avoid graft loss.     

Custom dynamic stent for esophageal strictures in children

Background

Esophageal stenting represents a new strategy to avoid multiple dilations owing to stenosis relapse. Our custom stent improves esophageal motility unlike the widespread self-expandable plastic esophageal stents. The aim of the study was to confirm the efficacy of treatment with silicone custom stents in esophageal stenosis (ES) in pediatric patients.

Methods

A silicone stent of 7-, 9-, or 12.7-mm external diameter is built coaxially on a nasogastric tube that guarantees the correct position. The 2 ends are tailored to allow food passage between stent and esophageal wall. All patients received dexamethasone (2 mg/kg per day) for 3 days and ranitidine/proton-pump inhibitors. Study approval was obtained from our ethical board.

Results

From 1988 to 2010, 79 patients with ES, mean age 35.4 months (3-125 months), underwent esophageal hydrostatic/Savary dilations and custom-stent placement, left in place for at least 40 days. Stenting was effective in 70 (88.6%) of 79 patients. Fifty percent of the patients with effective treatment received only one dilation for stent placement. Fourteen patients received more stents successfully. There was one stent-related major complication.

Conclusion

Our custom stent improves treatment in ES. In caustic injuries, ES stenting represents the first option. In postsurgical ES, we stent after at least 5 dilations.     

Medium-term follow-up after deployment of ultraflex expandable metallic stents to manage endobronchial pathology

Background

Between March 1997 and March 2004 we deployed 80 Ultraflex metallic expandable stents (Boston Scientific, Waterson, MA) in 69 patients under direct vision using rigid bronchoscopy. We report our medium- to long-term experience in patients for whom these stents were deployed.

Methods

To date 15 patients have been followed for more than 1 year (median 41 months, range 12 to 83 months) after stent deployment. Indications for stenting in these patients were neoplasia (5), stricture (5), airway malacia (1), iatrogenic tracheal tear (1), and compression from an aortic aneurysm (1), a right interrupted aortic arch (1), and a right brachiocephalic artery aneurysm with tracheomalacia (1). Ten tracheal stents (9 covered, 1 uncovered) and 10 bronchial stents (8 uncovered, 2 covered) were inserted, and 5 patients received two stents.

Results

Five of these patients experienced no long-term problems. Complications included troublesome halitosis (5), which was difficult to treat despite various antibiotic regimes; granulation tissue formation above and below the stent that was successfully treated with low-power Nd:YAG laser therapy (7); and metal fatigue (1). We did not encounter stent migration.

Conclusions

We conclude that Ultraflex expandable metallic stents have an important role in the management of selected patients with diverse endobronchial pathologies and are well tolerated in the long-term. Although associated granulation tissue can be successfully treated with Nd:YAG laser, halitosis can be a difficult problem to address.     

Endoscopic management of congenital esophageal stenosis

Background/Purpose

Congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) is a rare malformation. Endoscopic dilations represent a therapeutic option. This study retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of a conservative treatment of CES.

Patients and Methods

Patients diagnosed with CES since 1980 by a barium study or endoscopy were reviewed. Endoscopic ultrasonography (Olympus UM-3R-20-MHz radial miniprobe, Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), available from 2001, allowed for the differential diagnosis of tracheobronchial remnants (TBR) and fibromuscular hypertrophy (FMH) CES. All children underwent conservative treatment by endoscopic dilations (hydrostatic and Savary).

Results

Forty-seven patients (20 men) had CES. Fifteen were associated with esophageal atresia; and 8, with Down syndrome. Mean age at the diagnosis was 28.3 months (range, 1 day to 146 months). Symptoms were solid food refusal, regurgitation, vomiting, and dysphagia. Congenital esophageal stenosis was located in the distal esophagus. Endoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated TBR and FMH in 6 patients. One hundred forty-eight dilations in 47 patients were performed. The stenosis healed in 45 (95.7%). Complications were 5 (10.6%) esophageal perforations, hydrostatic (3/32, or 9.3%), and Savary (2/116, or 1.7%). At follow-up, 1 patient with FMH CES and 1 patient with TBR CES required operation for persistent dysphagia.

Conclusions

The conservative treatment yielded positive outcomes in CES. Endoscopic ultrasonography allows for a correct diagnosis of TBR/FMH CES. A surgical approach should be reserved for CES not responsive to dilations.     

Urinary diversion in children with pelvic tumors

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate children presenting with malignant pelvic tumors obstructing the upper urinary tract.

Methods

Seventeen children with upper urinary tract obstruction by a malignant tumor were reviewed. A nephrostomy tube or Double J (DJ) stent was inserted into each obstructed urinary system and removed after tumor shrinkage and/or hydronephrosis regression.

Results

There were 9 boys and 8 girls in the study; the mean age and median follow-up were 5.7 years and 2.5 years, respectively. The most common obstructing tumor was rhabdomyosarcoma. Twelve children underwent diversion by nephrostomy tubes and 3 by DJ stents; 2 patients underwent resection of the tumors with ureteroureterostomy. Complications after the insertion of the stents included febrile urinary tract infections (UTI) or pyelonephritis in 4 of the children with DJ stents. In the nephrostomy group, febrile UTI developed in 3 and the tube fell out in 1, and was blocked in another. Of the 17 children, 9 have no evidence of disease, 2 are currently under treatment, and 6 died of cancer.

Conclusions

The prognosis of children with malignant pelvic tumor obstructing the upper urinary system justifies urgent and optimal upper tract diversion, enabling chemotherapy to be started immediately.     

Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy: A Single-Center Experience

Objecive

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy represents an accelerated form of obstructive coronary disease. It is the main cause of late death following heart transplantation. Percutaneous coronary intervention is considered a palliative procedure due to high restenosis rates. The aim of this study was to review our experience with percutaneous coronary interventions using stents in cardiac transplant recipients.

Methods

The present analysis included all primary adult heart transplanted patients who had been discharged from the hospital after transplantation, had a clinical follow-up of 12 months and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Results

Seventy heart transplanted patients underwent percutaneous revascularization. Our analysis comprised 85 first-vessel procedures resulting in treatment of 135 lesions. The mean time from heart transplantation to first intervention was 9.3 ± 4.8 years. Primary success was obtained in 96% lesions; at least 1 recurrent stenosis event occurred in 16 patients with primarily successful PCI. Lesions treated with drug-eluting stents experienced recurrent stenosis in 16% of cases. During a mean follow-up after PCI of 45.2 ± 41.7 months, 27 deaths (19 cardiac) and 1 late re-transplantation occurred after PCI.

Conclusion

In cardiac transplant recipients, percutaneous coronary intervention with stents can be performed safely with high rates of primary success. Restenosis rates were higher compared with coronary interventions in native coronary arteries. Drug-eluting stents seemed to favorably impact restenosis compared with bare-metal stents. The clinical benefit from percutaneous coronary intervention may be reduced due to disease progression in untreated coronary segments.     

Experience with removing Palmaz stents with a rigid bronchoscope

Background

The Palmaz stent can relieve congenital malacia or stenosis of airway, but reports on the indications and results of stent removal are rare. The authors report their experience in removing Palmaz stents and discuss the indications for removal.

Methods

Thirteen stents in 12 patients were removed by a rigid bronchoscope for various reasons. The indications were expected recovery (n = 5), severe granulations and expected recovery (n = 2), stent collapse (n = 2), and stent migration and/or fracture (n = 4).

Results

The course after removal was smooth in 9 patients and complicated in 3. The indications for stent removal in these 3 complicated cases were all expected recovery. One of the 3 complicated cases needed emergent cardiopulmonary bypass and tracheostomy for a collapsed stent that occluded airway, 1 failed for intractable bleeding, and 1 failed for intense vagal reflex causing cardiac arrest. At 6 months of follow-up, satisfactory results were seen in all but one case that needed further procedures for an iatrogenic tracheoesophageal fistula.

Conclusions

Most Palmaz stents can be removed smoothly with a rigid bronchoscope; however, lethal complications can happen. The authors suggest that indications for stent removal should be intractable airway symptoms caused by the stent rather than expected recovery. Muscle relaxants should be avoided during anesthesia to maintain spontaneous breathing, and cardiopulmonary bypass should be on standby.     

A decade of using intraluminal tracheal/bronchial stents in the management of tracheomalacia and/or bronchomalacia: is it better than aortopexy?

Background

We compared the efficacy and clinical outcomes of aortopexy versus tracheal stents in the management of tracheomalacia.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 25 consecutive patients undergoing aortopexy (n = 11; 8 boys, 3 girls) or tracheal stents (n = 14; 9 boys, 5 girls) between 1993 and 2003 was performed.

Results

Both treatment groups, aortopexy versus stents, were comparable in their mean age of diagnosis, timing of intervention, surgical indications (“dying spell” or failed extubation), and previous underlying conditions. The operative time (190 vs 72 minutes) and blood loss (26 vs 0 mL) were significantly greater in aortopexy group (P < .01). There were no perioperative deaths in either group. Interestingly, 4 of 11 patients in the aortopexy group developed pericardial effusion (P < .01). With stents in place for a mean of 15 (range 2-41) months, 3 of 8 patients with stent removal had significant granulation tissue requiring further dilatation. No death was observed in aortopexy group, whereas 1 stent-related death and 1 cardiac arrest requiring median sternotomy occurred during stent removal in 44 and 32 months' follow-up, respectively.

Conclusion

Both aortopexy and tracheal stents are effective treatment modalities in the management of tracheomalacia. However, although aortopexy is associated with early perioperative complications, tracheal stents are associated with higher failure rate and more severe stent-related morbidity and mortality.     

Esophageal foreign bodies in the pediatric population: our first 500 cases

Background

Children with esophageal foreign bodies are frequently seen by pediatric surgeons. Choking and dysphagia are common presentations; however, esophageal perforation has been reported. Historically, rigid esophagoscopy with extraction of the foreign body has been the recommended treatment. Alternatively, Foley balloon extraction is a safe and effective approach.

Methods

Over a 16-year period, 555 children presented with an esophageal foreign body. Retrospective analysis of the medical record was undertaken. Statistics were by univariate analysis.

Results

Two hundred ninety-eight boys and 257 girls presented with a mean age of 3.24 years. Dysphagia (37%) and drooling (31%) were the most common symptoms. Foreign bodies were lodged in the superior esophagus in 73%, and 88% of the objects were coins. Balloon extraction with fluoroscopy was performed in 468 children. Eighty percent of the objects were successfully removed with a mean fluoroscopy time of 2.2 min, and 8% were advanced into the stomach. The overall success rate was 88%, with failures necessitating rigid esophagoscopy under general anesthesia. Children younger than 1 year were the most likely to fail (25% failure rate). Airway aspiration never occurred. Significant savings in patient charges were observed with this approach.

Conclusions

Balloon extraction of pediatric esophageal foreign bodies is a safe and cost-effective procedure. This technique is applicable for infants, children, and adolescents. Experienced practitioners should be able to achieve greater than 80% success rate.     

Surgical treatment of esophagogastric dysfunction forty years after reverse gastric tube esophagoplasty for congenital esophageal anomaly

Background

In 1968, Burrington first described use of the reverse gastric tube esophagoplasty for esophageal replacement in children with esophageal atresia or acquired stenosis. There are few documented cases of long-term follow-up of these patients.

Case Report

We describe a 41-year-old female who presented with progressive dysphagia 40 years after reverse gastric tube for a congenital esophageal stenosis as an infant. Repeated endoscopic dilations were unsuccessful in relieving her symptoms, and she subsequently underwent a modified Ivor-Lewis esophagogastrectomy with resection of the reverse gastric tube and reconstruction using her remaining gastric remnant.

Conclusions

This report describes what we believe to be the longest recorded follow-up after reverse gastric tube esophagoplasty and highlights the potential for long-term complications after surgery for congenital anomalies.     

Congenital esophageal stenosis owing to ectopic tracheobronchial remnants

Background/purpose

Congenital esophageal stenosis owing to tracheobronchial remnants (TBR) is a rare condition. Inappropriate treatment often is carried out before the correct diagnosis is established. For a better understanding and management of this disease, patients with TBR treated at our hospital and collected from the literature are reviewed to evaluate the course of onset, associated anomalies, methods of diagnosis and treatment, and outcomes.

Methods

Three patients treated at our hospital and 59 patients identified from the literature were included in the study. Gender, age at onset of symptoms, age at definitive treatment, esophagographic findings, pathology, methods of treatment, and outcomes of the 62 patients were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Boys slightly predominated (33:28, 1 unknown gender). Symptoms of dysphagia and regurgitation developed at the mean age of 3.2 ± 4.5 months. Definitive treatment was carried out at the mean age of 2.6 ± 3.0 years with a time lag of 2.0 ± 2.5 years from the onset of symptoms. Twenty-five patients had associated anomalies with esophageal atresia being the most prevalent. Esophagography showed segmental stenosis over the distal third of the esophagus in all patients except one. The esophagographic findings could be classified into 3 types: type Ia, 10 cases; Ib, 15 cases; type II, 14 cases; type III, 3 cases. A nonyielding esophageal stenosis without inflammation was the characteristic esophagoscopic finding. Esophagoscopic dilatation of the stenosis was attempted in 26 patients, but all failed, and 2 patients suffered esophageal perforation. Surgical resection was mandatory for all patients to restore their esophageal continuity. Postoperative complications included anastomotic stenosis, anastomotic leakage, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux.

Conclusions

TBR should be suspected in patients who present with a typical history of dysphagia after ingestion of solid food and have characteristic esophagographic and esophagoscopic findings. It has a strong tendency to occur with esophageal atresia. Esophagoscopic dilatation is ineffective and may render the patient at risk for esophageal perforation. Operation is the treatment of choice and carries little morbidity and mortality.     

Esophageal strictures in children with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: an 11-year experience with fluoroscopically guided balloon dilatation

Background

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is an inherited blistering skin disorder that is associated with significant esophageal strictures, resulting in dysphagia and nutritional failure. Although endoscopically guided balloon dilatation is a widely used treatment, the use of an endoscope carries the risk of oropharyngeal trauma. To minimize this risk, we have eliminated its use.

Method

We reviewed the charts of all RDEB patients who underwent balloon dilatation for esophageal strictures between August 1993 and March 2005. Balloon dilatation procedures were performed under anesthesia and with fluoroscopic control.

Results

We performed 92 dilatations on 25 RDEB patients. Most patients reported immediate relief of symptoms, rapid recovery, and resumption of adequate food intake within 1 day. The mean interval between dilatations was 1 year. Six patients (24%) have required only 1 dilatation, and 1 of these 6 has had a dilatation-free interval of 25 months. One patient with a history of multiple dilatations has remained dilatation-free for 5 years. No procedure-related complications have occurred.

Conclusions

Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilatation is a gentle, safe, effective, and repeatable technique that should be considered as a first line of treatment.     

Use of fully covered self-expandable stent in biliary complications after liver transplantation: a case series

Aims

To present our case series of fully covered self-expandable metallic stents (FCSESs) placed to treat biliary stenosis after liver transplantation and leakage after failure of plastic stenting.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed the courses of patients who had undergone liver transplantation with a biliary complication that was treated by an FCSES installed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. We evaluated the following variables: gender, age, indication for transplantation, time between transplant and diagnosis of the complication, number of plastic stents placed before the FCSES, and procedure-related complications.

Results

From April 2008 to March 2010, 11 patients who had undergone a duct-to-duct anastomosis suffered posttransplant biliary stenosis or leakage with failure of endoscopic treatment using a plastic biliary stent: Namely, eight cases of stenosis and three of biliary leaks. Three patients underwent a papillotomy to place the FCSES, with no significant morbidity. No severe complications were observed after the endoscopic treatments; two patients developed mild pancreatitis; two, hyperamylasemia; and one, mild biliary sepsis. We removed the FCSES after a mean of 280 (range = 173-310) days. Five patients lost the FCSES spontaneously. One patient underwent a choledocojejunostomy and two are waiting biliary surgery.

Conclusion

We avoided cholangiojejunostomy in 6/9 cases (not including the two deaths). Papillotomy did not engender a greater morbidity. The spontaneous loss of the stent is a problem that need to be resolved.     

Is removal of the stent at the end of 2 weeks helpful to reduce infectious or urologic complications after renal transplantation?

Objective

Ureteral stents are used to reduce urologic complications after renal transplantation. However, they predispose to infection. The optimal time to keep them in the urinary tract has not yet been defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of early removal at the end of 2 weeks on urinary tract infections and early urologic complications (within 3 months), such as ureteroneocyctostomy leakage as well as ureteral anastomosis stricture or obstruction.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 48 patients who underwent renal transplantation using a ureteral stent. The patients were divided into two groups according to the time of stent removal: at the end of 2 weeks (group A; n = 10) versus at a later time (group B; n = 38).

Results

The urologic complication rate was 0% in group A and the urinary tract infection rate, 2%. The urologic complication rate was 0% in group B and the urinary tract infection rate, 35%.

Conclusion

Early removal of the stent at the end of 2 weeks after renal transplantation is decreased the rate of urinary tract infections.     

Trimetazidine reduces the degree of fibrosis in alkali burns of the esophagus

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of trimetazidine (TMZ), an antioxidant agent, on the prevention of stricture development after esophageal caustic injuries in rat.

Methods

Thirty rats were divided into 3 equal groups. A standard esophageal caustic burn was produced by application of 37.5% NaOH for a period of 90 seconds followed by water rinse. Group A (sham) animals were uninjured. Group B rats were injured but untreated. Group C rats were injured and received TMZ (5 mg/kg/d) via intraperitoneal route. Efficacy of the treatment was assessed in 28 days by measuring stenosis index and histopathologic damage score and by determining tissue hydroxyproline content.

Results

The stenosis index in the TMZ-treated group was significantly lower than the untreated group, similarly in the sham laparotomy group (stenosis index: 0.34 ± 0.10, 0.94 ± 0.21, 0.38 ± 0.05, respectively; P < .05). The hydroxyproline level (microgram per milligram of wet tissue) was significantly lower in the TMZ-treated group compared with untreated group, similarly in the sham laparotomy group (1.06 ± 0.14, 1.33 ± 0.08, 0.68 ± 0.15 μg/mg wet tissue, respectively; P < .05). In the untreated group, histopathologic damage score was significantly higher than TMZ-treated group (P < .05).

Conclusions

Trimetazidine reduces the degree of fibrosis and ameliorates histopathologic damage in experimental model of corrosive esophagitis in rats.     

Prise en charge de l’hypertension intracrânienne bénigne : analyse de la série nancéenne

Introduction

Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is a rare condition, especially in childhood. The aim of this study was to analyze retrospectively pediatric cases that were diagnosed and managed in the same institution during the 2002-2006 period.

Patients and methods

Eight children (four girls and four boys) with a diagnosis of BIH were reviewed. The mean age at diagnosis was 10.5 years. Follow-up lasted a mean two years. The clinical features were those of intracranial hypertension. One child had previously had optic nerve sheath fenestration and another one occipitocervical decompression because of an associated Chiari I malformation.

Results

One child had a bilateral transverse sinus stenosis on angio-MRI. Seven children had a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure monitoring. Seven children were treated with acetazolamide. Three children are free of symptoms with the association of acetazolamide and depletive lumbar puncture (LP). For three others, a lumboperitoneal shunt had to be inserted. One child is in complete remission after depletive LP only. The clinical symptoms of BIH disappeared for all eight children, including normalization of the visual loss present in three children.

Conclusion

BIH is a condition that threatens visual prognosis. Diagnosis is assessed by clinical, radiological, and raised CSF pressure criteria. First-line treatment is medical (acetazolamide at first intention) and surgery is recommended for refractory cases. The relationship between BIH and obesity is less clear than for adulthood. Depletion of CSF by LP is an important therapeutic factor.     

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction in living donor liver transplantation: balloon angioplasty or stent placement?

Background

The incidence of hepatic venous outflow obstruction (HVOO) has been reported to be 5%-13% when a partial graft is used for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). HVOO leads to graft congestion, portal hypertension, and finally cirrhosis, which jeopardizes both graft and recipient survivals. In this study, we sought to identify perioperative factors influencing HVOO and to investigate conditions that require stent placement.

Patients and Methods

From February 1994 to December 2010, we performed 40 living donor liver transplantations (LDLT). HVOO occurred in 5 cases (12.5%), all of which were left lobe grafts. Because HVOO was not observed in patients with body weight (BW) <30 kg, we investigated the other 28 cases with BW >30 kg.

Results

There was no difference from unaffected subjects except for cold ischemic time (CIT), which was significantly longer: 86.2 ± 10.4 minutes vs 46.0 ± 4.8 minutes (P = .001). Balloon angioplasty, which was selected as the initial treatment for all stricture patients, improved 2 patients after 1 and 5 treatments, respectively, but 3 subjects underwent repeated HVOO, finally being treated with self-expandable metallic stents at 9, 6, and 10 years after LDLT, respectively. All patients finally resolved their strictures.

Conclusion

HVOO reflects intimal hyperplasia and fibrosis at the anastomotic sites or compression and twisting of the anastomosis caused by graft regeneration. In addition, progression of chronic rejection and fibrosis are possibly responsible for late-onset HVOO. Longer CIT possibly reflects difficulties in the venoplasty before anastomosis. No bleeding or thrombosis complications were observed during dilatation among our cases. The selection of the stent size for each case and careful stent deployment are important to prevent complications. Stent placement should be considered in patients with chronic rejection who are refractory to several balloon angioplasties with early-onset or late-onset HVOO.     

Incidence of persistent left superior vena cava in esophageal atresia

Purpose

Esophageal atresia is known to be associated with a variety of additional congenital anomalies in multiple organ systems. Emphasis on cardiovascular anomalies has been focused on aortic arch and intrinsic cardiac malformations. Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common venous thoracic anomaly in the general population and creates a problem when central venous access is required. This review was undertaken to define the incidence of PLSVC in infants with esophageal atresia and to determine if any subgroup of associated anomalies poses additional risk.

Methods

A retrospective, institutional review board-approved review of all children treated for esophageal atresia from 1993 to 2002 at Riley Hospital for Children was undertaken. Of 118 children, 89 had sufficient data for inclusion. Charts were reviewed for gestational age, weight, type of atresia, echocardiogram, and associated anomalies. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher's Exact test.

Results

Of 89 children, 8 (9.9%; confidence interval, 4%-17%) had PLSVC compared with the reported incidence of 0.3% in the general population. Presence of additional organ system anomalies did not significantly increase relative risk for PLSVC.

Conclusion

The incidence of PLSVC is significantly increased in children with esophageal atresia when compared with the general population. This increased incidence of PLSVC is not influenced by the presence of cardiac or other associated anomalies. This finding should be kept in mind when central venous access is required in this patient population.     

The efficacy of ozone therapy in experimental caustic esophageal burn

Introduction

Ozone has been proposed as an antioxidant enzyme activator, immunomodulator and cellular metabolic activator. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of ozone therapy in the prevention of esophageal damage and stricture formation developed after esophageal caustic injuries in the rat.

Materials and Methods

Forty-five rats were allocated into three groups; sham-operated, un-treatment and treatment groups. Caustic esophageal burn was created by instilling 15% NaOH in the distal esophagus. The rats were left untreated or treated with 1 mg/kg/day ozone intraperitoneally. All rats were sacrificed at 28 days. Efficacy of the treatment was assessed by measuring the stenosis index (SI) and histopathologic damage score, and biochemically by determining tissue hydroxyproline content (HP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl content (PCC) in esophageal homogenates.

Results

Whereas seven (47%) rats died in the un-treatment group, all rats in the sham-operated and the treatment group survived during the study. SI, the histopathologic damage score, was significantly lower in the ozone-therapy group than the un-treatment group. HP levels were significantly higher in the un-treatment group than the group treated with ozone. Caustic esophageal burn increased MDA and PCC levels and also decreased SOD and GPx enzyme activities. In contrast, ozone therapy decreased the elevated MDA and PCC levels and also increased the reduced SOD and GPx enzyme activities.

Conclusion

Ozone has a preventive effect in the development of fibrosis by decreasing tissue damage and increasing the antioxidant enzyme activity in an experimental model of corrosive esophageal injury.