Non-operative treatment of benign oesophageal strictures: results after endoscopic balloon dilatation and H2-antagonists.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the success of non-operative treatment of benign oesophageal strictures.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University department of surgery.


METHODS
27 consecutive patients with benign oesophageal strictures treated between 1984 and 1989.


METHODS
Repeated oesophageal dilatations as necessary together with cimetidine or ranitidine; 10 patients underwent 24 hour pH measurements.


METHODS
Resolution of dysphagia and gastro-oesophageal reflux.


RESULTS
125 dilatations were done for the 27 patients, 21 patients required four or less. The longer the stricture the larger the number of dilatations required. Median follow up time was 27 months (range 3-74), and during this period 11 patients died. None of the deaths was related either to the stricture or to its treatment. There were no complications of dilatation. Among the 10 patients who underwent 24 hour pH measurements the median percentage of time that the pH was less than 4 was 23, range 7-67. Non-operative treatment was successful in all but three patients, who required fundoplication.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-operative treatment is successful for most patients with benign strictures, so it may be possible to restrict antireflux operations to young patients with strictures.
Jönsson
P
P
Department of Surgery, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
Högström
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D002927:Cimetidine; D011899:Ranitidine