title: Recurrent dilatation in resistant benign esophageal strictures: timing is significant.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Benign esophageal strictures are frequently encountered pathologies occurring due to various reasons. Repeated dilatations may be needed, particularly in resistant strictures. This study aimed to evaluate patients who underwent repeated dilatations in our clinic due to resistant esophageal strictures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen patients who underwent multiple dilatations in our clinic with the diagnosis of resistant benign esophageal stricture between 2007 and 2014 were studied for age, sex, etiology, symptoms, complications, number of dilatations, and intervals between dilatations. Under general anesthesia, all patients underwent dilatation with Savary-Gilliard bougie dilators with the help of rigid esophagoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 10 of the patients, stenosis was cervical, and in others it was in the thoracic esophagus. The mean dilatation performance was 4.4 (range: 3-12). In 9 patients, dilatations were performed when the patients presented with the complaint of dysphagia. Following the initial dilatation performed for dysphagia, 7 patients underwent endoscopy and dilatation 3-5 times with 1-week intervals without waiting for the development of dysphagia symptoms. These patients developed no complications, and no stenting was needed. In 5 patients, restenosis developed despite multiple dilatations, and esophageal stent placement was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dilatations performed at frequent intervals without waiting for the symptoms of dysphagia can contribute to safer and more effective results in resistant benign esophageal strictures.
authors: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Yasemin
authors: Y
authors: Bilgin Büyükkarabacak
authors: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Ayşen
authors: A
authors: Taslak Şengül
authors: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet Gökhan
authors: MG
authors: Pirzirenli
authors: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Ahmet
authors: A
authors: Başoğlu
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders; D004106:Dilatation; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D006801:Humans
keywords: Benign; dilatation; esophageal stricture; resistant