ETIOLOGY AND OUTCOME OF ESOPHAGEAL STRICTURE AMONG CHILDREN: LOCAL DATA FROM TERTIARY CARE CHILDREN HOSPITAL OF MULTAN, PAKISTAN.

OBJECTIVES: To find out the etiology and outcome in terms of clinical improvement among children having esophageal stricture (ES). METHODS: This prospective study was conducted from July 2019 to March 2020 at Children's Hospital, Multan, Pakistan on diagnosed patients of ES, ageing <15 years. Demographic details, different etiologies, location of the ES and treatment outcome were recorded. After initial management, endoscopy and dilatation was done at 6 weeks. Patients were followed-up for at least 12 weeks. RESULTS: Out of 32 children with ES, 19 (59.4%) were males. Mean age of children was 36.58±19.6 months. Twenty-four (75%) patients had proximal and 8 (25%) had distal stricture. Chemical burn (n=23; 71.9%) and esophageal atresia (n=4: 12.5%) were commonest causes of ES. Dilatation and surgery were performed in 21 (65.6%) cases followed by dilatation only in 10 (31.3%) cases and surgery alone in one (3.1%) case. In patients with chemical burns, majority (n=16/23; 69.6%) required both dilatation and surgery. Overall outcome of treatment options was good in 62.5% (n=20/32) patients. Outcome was good in 61.9% (n=13/21) of patients requiring both dilatation and surgery and 70% (n=7/10) in patients having dilatation alone (p=0.385). Outcome was good in 69.6% (n=16/23) of patients with chemical burns and 70% (n=7/10) in patients with dilatation only (p=0.385). Mortality rate was 3.1% (n=1). CONCLUSION: Chemical burn and esophageal atresia were the commonest causes of ES. Outcome of all procedures was good in 62.5% cases and had no significant relationship with causes and site of ES or types of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]