Caustic Esophageal Injuries, GER Strictures and Postoperative Strictures

Abstract

There are several types of circumstances for which esophageal replacement is necessary including: severe esophageal mucosal injury from caustic ingestion; congenital esophageal anomalies such as esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula; postsurgical strictures; severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); foreign body impaction; and esophageal cancer. The latter is rarely seen as an indication for esophageal replacement in children, but the numerous techniques of esophageal replacement utilized in adult patients with esophageal cancer are also applied for children. Esophageal mucosal injury resulting from accidental (or intentional) ingestion of caustic substances, postsurgical esophageal strictures, and long gap esophageal atresia are the most common indications for esophageal replacement in children. Review of the indications and various methods for esophageal replacement in children are described here.