Endoscopic dilatation in the management of benign and malignant esophageal strictures: results of 203 consecutive dilatations

ABSTRACT

Eighty-three patients with benign or malignant strctures underwent 203 endoscopic esophageal dilatations using different type of dilators. Of these, 36 patients [78.2%] with benign strictures become free of symptoms after one to three dilatations, during a mean follow-up period of 8.5 months. Thirty-seven patients had malignant strictures; in 14 dysphagia abated after the initial dilatations without the need to insert feeding or Atkinson tubes. Seventeen patients [20.5%] had dysphagia following esophageal surgery and their condition improved followed following endoscopic dilatations. Dilatation failed in four patients and esophageal perforation occurred in one patient with malignant stricture. There was no mortality among our patients that was directly related to endoscopic dilatations