ABSTRACT
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract interventions constitute a very large proportion of the procedures performed on pediatric patients. Procedures can be performed along the entire length of the GI tract and range from foreign body extraction to dilatation of strictures to placement of a wide variety of tubes and catheters to placement of stents. Esophageal foreign body removal using the Foley catheter technique, esophageal stricture dilatation as well as dilatation of other GI tract strictures, and cecostomy tube placement will be discussed in detail, including current opinions and controversies. Indications and contraindications, patient preparation, technical aspects, complications, and postprocedure care for each of these procedures will be presented. Removal of esophageal foreign bodies is a controversial procedure that can be performed successfully and safely if certain rules are rigorously followed. Balloon dilatation of esophageal strictures is a safe and effective technique that has now been extended to use in the remainder of the GI tract. Percutaneous cecostomy offers a safe and highly effective means of treating fecal incontinence.
KEYWORD
Esophageal foreign body - esophageal stricture - balloon dilation - fecal incontinence - percutaneous cecostomy
