Two articles provide some insight into endoscopic interventions on both ends of the gastrointestinal tract.
In the first article (JPGN 2014; 59: 608-11), the authors retrospectively studied 11 children who received mitomycin-C concurrently with endoscopic dilatation for the treatment of anastomotic strictures after esophageal atresia repair. Key finding: 8 of 11 achieved resolution of their strictures, 2 remained with stenosis, and 1 needed surgical correction. However, the authors found no benefit of mitomycin C in the resolution of the strictures compared with endoscopic dilatation alone in historical controls (n=10). In fact, in this small study, the control group patients had fewer endoscopic dilatations (3.7 vs. 5.4 dilatations per patient) and 9 of 10 achieved stricture resolution.
In the second article (JPGN 2014; 59: 604-08), the authors retrospectively reviewed the outcome of children (n=33) with surgically-treated Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) who were treated with intrasphincteric Botox injections for obstructive symptoms. In these children with median age of first Botox injection was 3.6 years; a median of 2 injections were given. 26 (79%) had had a transanal endorectal pull-through. Key finding: initial improvement was noted in 76% and “good/excellent” long-term response was evident in 52% (Table 2).
Bottomline: Botox therapy appears helpful for non-relaxing sphincters in HD whereas mitomycin-C remains an unproven therapy for esophageal strictures.
Also briefly noted: JPGN 2014; 59: 674-78. “Use of cyproheptadine in young children with feeding difficulties and poor growth in a pediatric feeding program.” n=127. Of the 82 who took cyproheptadine regularly, 96% reported a positive change in feeding behaviors and there was a significant improvement in weight gain.
Also, with regard to stooling problems, Sana Syed (Emory GI fellow) pointed out a useful website that emphasizes proper positioning for functional constipation: squattypotty.com. While the website promotes their product to provide proper foot support (with elevation), there are other ways to get a similar result. As noted previously (“Poo in You” Video | gutsandgrowth) proper positioning can help a lot.
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