Management of refractory esophageal stenosis in the pediatric age

INTRODUCTION

Refractory esophageal stenosis (RES) is a major health problem in the pediatric population. Several techniques such as stent placement or C-mitomycin (CM) have been described as alternative treatments. We present our experience with both techniques, in our case with biodegradable stents (BS) and sometimes the association with stents and CM.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Six patients have been included: 2 post-operative fistulas in patients with type I esophageal atresia; 1 operated atresia without fistula; and 3 caustic strictures. 5 BS were placed in 4 children: 3 of them in cases of atresia (2 prosthesis in one case) and the other one in a case of stricture. CM was used in 5 cases: in 2 of them from the beginning, and in the other 3 cases after failure of the stent.

RESULTS

When placed in fistulas, BS were fully covered. One of them successfully treated the fistula, but the other one was not effective. One stenosis was successfully treated with SB (in the case of persistent fistula), but recurrence was observed in the other 2 cases. One of these was solved with CM, and the other one needed a second stent. In the remaining 2 cases (one atresia and one caustic stricture) CM was effective after 1 and 2 sessions respectively. Overall, 5 out of 6 stenosis have been successfully treated (83.3%), and 1 out of 2 fistulas (50%).

CONCLUSIONS

Association of BS and CM has been effective in the management of RES in children.

The role of endoscopy in caustic ingestion in the pediatric population: experience in a tertiary center

INTRODUCTION

caustic ingestion in children is rare but has potentially serious consequences.

AIM

to analyze the clinical and endoscopic features and the type of caustic ingested in our population.

METHODS

the upper endoscopies performed in this setting, as well as the characteristics of patients and caustics, were analyzed from 2010 to 2018.

RESULTS

fifty-one endoscopies were performed (48 cases of witnessed intake or high suspicion and three with a low suspicion) in patients with a mean age of 2.55 years. Alkali ingestion was more frequent (88.2 %) and 56.9 % of the endoscopies were normal, which was more frequent among those who ingested bleach (72 %). Alkali tended to produce more esophageal injuries (31.1 %) and acids tended to produce esophageal (20 %) and esophageal-gastric injuries (20 %). Four patients developed esophageal stenosis during follow-up.

DISCUSSION

even though more than half of the studies were normal, endoscopy is important in the diagnosis and prognosis of these patients.

The Effect of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Classroom in Nature on the Quality of Life of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

"The IBD Classroom in Nature" is an initiative that combines training and leisure activities in an ideal environment where families and patients can interact with each other. The objective of the present study was to quantify the effect that "The IBD Classroom in Nature" had on the health-related quality-of-life of patients with Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We conducted a prospective, analytical study with a pre-post design to demonstrate the impact on health-related quality-of-life (measured with the IMPACT-III questionnaire) of 3 days together in the context of The IBD Classroom in Nature. The study included 13 patients with IBD with a mean age of 12.3 years (interquartile range 11.9-14.5). After "The IBD Classroom in Nature" there was an improvement in the IMPACT-III score with significant improvements in the emotional functioning and body image domains. The present study objectively shows the beneficial effect of group activities focused on the most diverse aspects of their disease.

Paediatric endoscopy in Spain: current situation and recent developments

INTRODUCTION

Paediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy (pGIE) has advanced significantly over the last decade, with increased diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

OBJECTIVES

This study examines the current state of pGIE in Spain, changes in the field over 5 years, and the involvement of paediatric gastroenterologists (pGEs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A structured self-administered questionnaire was distributed by the Endoscopy Working Group of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (SEGHNP) through the REDCap platform. The questionnaire included questions concerning techniques, sedation, indications, and organizational barriers. We compared the results with data from 2015.

RESULTS

Eighty-one of the 103 invited hospitals participated (66.4%). Paediatric gastroenterologists performed 71% of scheduled pGIEs and 24% of emergency pGIEs. Therapeutic endoscopies accounted for 72% of procedures, including foreign body removal (50%) and polypectomy (36%), and were performed by pGEs in 61% and 63% of cases, respectively. When it came to other procedures, pGEs performed 24% in the case of hydrostatic dilation, 20% in the case of variceal sclerotherapy and of haemoclip placement, and 18% in the case of endoscopic coagulation. None of the endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or enteroscopy procedures were performed by pGEs. Sedation was administered by anaesthesiologists in 70% of cases. Compared to 2015, there was an increase in the scheduled endoscopies performed by pGEs (71% vs 54%), the performance of gastroscopies (>180 per year in 61% vs 24%) and colonoscopies (60-120 per year in 31% vs 12%) and the use of picosulfate for colonoscopy preparation (44% vs 10%).

CONCLUSIONS

There has been a significant increase in the involvement of pGEs in pGIE in Spain, although of lesser magnitude in emergency and therapeutic endoscopy procedures.