[Benign gastric strictures after transthoracic esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy: an analysis of 9 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the manifestations,etiology,diagnosis and treatment of benign gastric strictures after transthoracic esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy.


METHODS
From January 1998 to December 2004, 9 cases with benign gastric strictures following esophagectomy were enrolled in the study. The manifestations,radiographic and endoscopic findings, treatment were analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
The patients included 8 males and 1 female. Benign gastric stricture is characterized by mucosa absence and proliferation of fibrous tissue in the stomach below the stoma. The age ranged from 49 to 71 years old (median age 62). The common symptom was postoperative dysphagia. The length of stricture ranged from 1.5 to 5.0 cm, and the width from 0.1 to 0.5 cm. Seven cases were treated ineffectively with simple dilation,while esophageal stent placement was performed in 8 cases successfully. After follow- up from 5 to 60 months, restenosis occurred for 11 times including stent fall-off for 6 times,stent migration for 1 times, overgrowth of granular tissues for 4 times. Other complications included cervical incision infection and massive hemorrhage in one case respectively. Restenoses were all solved with stent replacement.


CONCLUSIONS
Benign gastric stricture should be diagnosed through dysphagia, barium meal and endoscopy. Placement of non-self-expandable stent or whole covered self-expandable metallic stent is the primary treatment.
Yang
Hong
H
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
Fu
Jian-hua
JH
Hu
Yi
Y
Huang
Wei-zhao
WZ
D000368:Aged; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D017219:Gastric Outlet Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery