Endoscopic incision and balloon dilatation for cicatricial anastomotic strictures.
OBJECTIVE
Endoscopic incision or balloon dilatation is common therapy for cicatricial anastomotic strictures after gastrointestinal surgery. These therapies are not always effective.


METHODS
There were 6 patients who failed either endoscopic incision or balloon dilatation alone and who underwent a combination of the two therapies. Two or three small radial incisions were made in the scar of the stricture with the endoscopic electrocautery under direct vision with fiberscopy. Then, the incisions were split bluntly and the stenosis was dilated over 15-20 minutes with balloon-dilator. This procedure was performed once or twice at a 2-week interval.


RESULTS
In 5 of the 6 patients, the stenosis was improved in subjective criteria and objective symptoms. In the last patient, only objective improvement was noted. There were no complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic incision plus balloon dilatation is an effective and safe treatment for cicatricial anastomotic strictures which have failed either therapy alone.
Hagiwara
A
A
Department of Surgery I, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
Togawa
T
T
Yamasaki
J
J
Shirasu
M
M
Sakakura
C
C
Yamagishi
H
H
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D002404:Catheterization; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery*; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D004724:Endoscopy; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome