Two Cases of Congenital Esophageal Stenosis Associated with Esophageal Atresia：Diagnosis Using Low Pressure Balloon Method

Yoshikiyo Nakagawa，Sadashige Uemura，Tatsuo Nakaoka

Department of Pediatric Surgery，Kawasaki Medical School

Abstract
Two cases of congenital esophageal stenosis associated with esophageal atresia and our diagnostic method using a low pressure balloon are reported. Patients were diagnosed as esophageal atresia (Gross type C) and treated in other hospitals during the neonatal period. They had recovered well and had no complication until they reached the late weaning period. They presented with vomiting and stuffing food after eating a solid meal. Contrast esophagogram showed uncertain stenotic findings in the lower esophagus. They were referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment. We put a low pressure balloon catheter in the lower esophagus and inflated it with contrast medium. In both patients, a short segment of esophageal stenosis was clearly detected by this method. Through a left thoracotomy, we resected the stenotic esophagus and repaired it with end-to-end anastomosis. Postoperative courses were uneventful without stenotic symptoms. Pathological findings showed tracheobronchial remnants in the resected specimens. For the diagnosis of esophageal stenosis, our simple method effectively to demonstrates the length of the stenotic segment.

Keywords：Congenital esophageal stenosis, Esophagogram, Esophageal atresia