title: Techniques and principles of endoscopic treatment of benign gastrointestinal strictures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The fundamental goal of treating any stenosis is luminal enlargement to ameliorate the underlying obstructive symptoms. Symptoms depend on the etiology and the site of the stricture and may include dysphagia, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, obstipation, or frank bowel obstruction. This article compares the various current technologies available for the treatment of gastrointestinal stenoses with regard to ease and site of application, patient tolerance, safety and efficacy data, and cost-benefit ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recent studies indicate that gastrointestinal dilation and stenting have evolved to a point at which in many if not most situations they can be the first line therapy and potentially the final therapy needed to treat the underlying condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following techniques and principles in the management of gastrointestinal strictures would allow for the well tolerated and effective treatment of most patients with the tools currently available today.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Institute, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Shayan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Irani
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kozarek
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology