The authors describe 4 children with recurrent stenosis and persistent esophagitis after secondary repair of a long gap esophageal atresia. They underwent an esophageal reconstruction by elongation of the lesser gastric curvature according to Schärli at the age of 11 to 14 months. All had esophagitis grade III to IV (Savary-Miller classification), esophageal stenosis, and failure to thrive. Effective treatment of the esophagitis and prevention of stenosis consisted in high doses of omeprazole (1.9 to 2.5 mg/kg/d). After this treatment, the need for esophageal dilatation disappeared, and nutritional status normalized.
Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.