Colonic replacement for the treatment of caustic esophageal strictures in children

Caustic esophageal stricture is one of the most common indications for esophageal replacement in children. During a 13-year period between 1976 and 1989, colonic repacement was performed in 50 patients for the treatment of caustic esophageal strictures at the Department of Pediatric Surgery of Hacettepe University Children's Hospital. A retrospective clinical study was undertaken to discuss the indications and results of colonic replacement. The 50 children, 34 of whom were male (68%) and 16 of whom were female (32%) with 27 patients (54%) under 6 years of age, were evaluated retrospectively. Indications for operation included 21 (42%) who could not swallow saliva and had total or nearly total obliteration of lumen involving more than 3 cm of an esophageal segment at admittance, and 16 (32%) who had difficulty in swallowing within a 1-month period following the last dilation after completion of a 1-year dilation program. A further 13 (26%) had bleeding and difficulties during dilations, after experiencing an esophageal perforation. The right colon was used in 48 and the left in the remaining 2 patients. Patients were followed for at least 1 year following replacement. Growth was excellent in all but one patient who had redundant colon and showed growth retardation. There was one postoperative late death because of massive bleeding from ulceration of the transplanted colon. The other 49 patients were available for accurate follow-up. The results were good, 46 (92%) were able to eat everything, while occasional dysphagia in 3 (6%) required dilation after operation. Colon conduit provides an excellent substitute for esophagus in pediatric patients. The operation had a low rate of major complications, most of which could be corrected to give satisfactory long-term results.