title: Efficacy and safety of endoscopic balloon dilation of symptomatic intestinal Crohn's disease strictures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate prospectively the clinical efficacy and safety of endoscopic hydrostatic balloon dilation in a consecutive cohort of symptomatic intestinal Crohn's disease strictures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 2003 and December 2008 we performed endoscopic balloon dilations in 37 Crohn's disease patients with 39 intestinal symptomatic strictures (4 naïve and 35 postoperative). Dilations were performed using a Rigiflex through-the-scope balloon. Clinical success rate was claimed if a patient remained asymptomatic and did not require surgery or further endoscopic dilation, following technical success. Actuarial curves of clinical, endoscopic (redilation) and surgical recurrence were obtained by Kaplan-Meier method. Demographic and disease variables were related to the main outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a mean follow-up of 26.3 months (range, 2-61 months), the long-term global benefit rate was 89% (33/37). The 1-2-3 years cumulative symptom-free rates were respectively: 76%, 55% and 46%. Four patients were operated upon. Technical success predicts a lower rate of surgery. There were no complications related to the endoscopic procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic balloon dilation of symptomatic Crohn's disease strictures may achieve clinical benefit in many patients and is a valid alternative to surgery in the management of the disease. Dilation may be repeated in recurrent intestinal obstructions and appears safe without morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Pneumology and Nutrition Clinic, V Cervello Hospital, Palermo University, Palermo, Italy. danisci@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scimeca
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mocciaro
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cottone
authors.forename: Luigi Maria
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Montalbano
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olivo
authors.forename: Rosalba
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: Ambrogio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orlando
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment; D012449:Safety; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome