Endoscopic balloon dilatation in pediatric patients with esophageal strictures: From the past to the future

Following its first successful use in re-opening an artery with stenosis by Dr. Andreas Gr üntzig in 1974,1 balloon catheter was applied to not only angioplasty but also dilatation of esophageal strictures under fluoroscope in two adults in 1981 and under fiberesophagoscope in seven patients, including a child with caustic stricture complicated twice with perforation in 1984.2,3 Balloon catheters can pass thorough severe, lengthy, irregular esophageal strictures with a bendable guide wire with subsequent balloon catheter dilatation for patients who had failed treatment with conventional bougienage techniques.
Source: Pediatrics and Neonatology - Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research