PEDIATR. RADIOL. 31/2 (2001) 98-101
Abstract
Purpose. To compare the technical feasibility and procedural complications of fluoroscopically guided balloon dilatation with conventional surgical bouginage for the treatment of oesophageal strictures in children. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of 125 balloon dilatations in 37 children with oesophageal strictures of varying aetiology. Twenty-four of the 37 children also underwent 88 procedures of surgical bouginage and comparison was made between the methods. Results. Fluoroscopic balloon dilatation had fewer technical failures (0/125 vs 4/88, P < 0.02) and fewer iatrogenic perforations (2/125 vs 5/88 P = 0.1) than surgical bouginage. Conclusion. Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilatation is safer and has fewer technical failures than surgical bouginage and should be considered the first line of treatment for oesophageal strictures in children.