title: Trans-endoscopic balloon dilatation of benign oesophageal strictures: a prospective study as an out-patient procedure.
abstract: Over an 18-month period 70 consecutive patients underwent 100 oesophageal balloon dilatations of their benign peptic strictures by the trans-endoscopic route. All procedures were performed as an out-patient under intravenous sedation. One patient developed respiratory depression from over-sedation. No other complications were seen in this series. The first 50 patients were reviewed by postal questionnaire. The majority (91%) of patients were swallowing normally and all patients except one were happy with the procedure and content to undergo further dilatation should it prove necessary. A cost analysis was performed comparing balloon dilatation with conventional bougienage which is also practised at our hospital. Balloon dilatation as an out-patient procedure is a more cost-effective technique when compared to bougienage and has the potential of saving the health service many thousands of pounds per annum.
authors.affiliation: Basingstoke District Hospital.
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Joyce
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rees
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies