CORROSIVE STRICTURES OF THE ESOPHAGUS IN CHILDREN

In a series of 142 children treated for corrosive bums at the University of Cape Town teaching hospitals between 1957 and 1990, 55 developed strictures of the oesophagus. Prograde dilatations with or without a guiding trans-stricture string proved successful in 22 children while 33 had an oesophageal bypass procedure. The complications following dilatations, particularly the 10 perforations of the oesophagus, are reviewed. Three of these later responded successfully to further dilatations. Since 1969, a single-staged left colon interposition was employed as the procedure of choice. The operative technique of the left colon interposition is described and the early and late complications following the bypass procedures are detailed and discussed, stenosis and strictures at the upper anastomosis being the most significant.