title: Endoscopic balloon dilation of esophageal strictures following surgical anastomoses, endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy, and corrosive ingestion.
abstract: Between 1987 and 1991, endoscopic balloon dilation was performed for esophageal strictures which developed after operation in 28 cases, after sclerotherapy in 9 cases, and after corrosive injury in 8 cases, for a total of 45 cases. The locations of stricture were upper third in 20 cases, mid-third in 2 cases, and lower third in 23 cases. The stricture appeared clinically 1 to 3 months after esophageal injury. Endoscopic follow-up interval was 1 week. A total of 136 dilations were done in these 45 patients with an average of 2.6 times/case (range, 1 to 8). The result of dilation was good in 9 cases, improved in 18 cases, slightly improved in 15 cases, with only 3 cases having no response. The follow-up period was 2 years on average (range, 0.5 to 4 years). The data suggest that endoscopic balloon dilation is a safe, effective, and easy method for the management of esophageal stricture caused by surgical anastomosis, sclerotherapy, and corrosive injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000150:complications*; D002404:Catheterization; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors