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Research Article: Maintenance oral viscous budesonide reduces dilation recurrence after esophageal atresia repair: a prospective clinical study

Date Published: 2026-05-14

Abstract:
Recurrent anastomotic stricture (AS) remains a major cause of morbidity after esophageal atresia (EA) repair. Although oral viscous budesonide (OVB) reduces dilation requirements during active treatment, the durability of this benefit after treatment discontinuation remains unclear. We conducted a prospective, open-label, randomized study including children with repaired EA and steroid-responsive recurrent AS. Patients were randomized (1:1) to continue OVB maintenance therapy or discontinue treatment. The primary outcome was dilation-free survival. Secondary outcomes included dysphagia severity, radiologic stricture severity, and safety. Twenty-two patients were included in the final analysis (OVB n =?12; control n =?10). At 6 months, dilation-free survival was significantly higher in the OVB group compared with controls (91% vs. 50%, p =?0.037). Dilation recurrence occurred in 25% vs. 70% of patients, respectively ( p =?0.043). Median time to recurrence was longer with OVB (13 vs. 7 months). Maintenance OVB was independently associated with lower dilation risk (adjusted HR 5.68; 95% CI 1.08–27.4). Dysphagia scores were significantly lower in the OVB group, whereas radiologic severity showed only a trend toward improvement. No systemic adverse effects were observed. Maintenance OVB significantly prolongs dilation-free intervals in children with recurrent AS after EA repair, supporting topical anti-inflammatory therapy as a potential disease-modifying strategy.

Introduction:
Recurrent anastomotic stricture (AS) remains a major cause of morbidity after esophageal atresia (EA) repair. Although oral viscous budesonide (OVB) reduces dilation requirements during active treatment, the durability of this benefit after treatment discontinuation remains unclear.

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