The most frequent gastrointestinal problems in individuals with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) that need dilatation are esophageal strictures. There is a paucity of data on the most effective type of treatments, results, and predictors of re-stenosis. The goal of this study was to look at the incidence and clinical presentation of esophageal strictures in EB patients, as well as the predictors of re-stenosis. Researchers conducted a retrospective, multicenter cohort research on patients aged 0 to 50 years old at 7 specialist, worldwide EB facilities. Descriptive statistics and risk factors for re-stenosis were computed. They found 125 individuals with 497 esophageal stricture events throughout a 17-year period of monitoring. Dilations were tried in 90.74 percent of incidents, with 45.23 percent utilizing guided fluoroscopy, 33.04 percent using retrograde endoscopy, and 19.07 percent using antegrade endoscopy. In 99.33 percent of efforts, dilation was successful. Patients had a median of two stricture events, with a 7-month gap between dilations. The frequency of strictures and a long segment stricture were both predictors of re-stenosis. With the endoscopic technique, complications were more prevalent.
They found great dilation results regardless of dilation technique; however, the endoscopic approach had higher problems. Stricture recurrence was predicted by long segment involvement in many places.
Reference: https://journals.lww.com/jpgn/Fulltext/2020/09000/Outcomes_and_Predictors_for_Re_stenosis_of.6.aspx
