Balloon Dilatation for Postoperative Stricture of Gastrointestinal Tract

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the effects and complications of balloon dilatation in the treatment of postoperative stricture at the gastrointestinal tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 1991 to July 1993, balloon dilatation was performed under fluoroscopic guidance on 5 patients (agel month to 64 yrs, malefemale=23) who previously had undergone abdominal surgery because of stomach cancer (n=2), congenital tracheoesophageal fistula (n=l), lye stricture (n=l), and colon cancer (n=l). Causes of the stricture were all benign (n=4) except for one (recurrence of malignant tumor). We dilatated the stricture site with balloon catheter (8--25 mm in diameter) 3 to 4 times per session which was repeated 1 to 5 times in each patient. Follow-up periods ranged 8 to 15 months after the treatment. RESULTS: Two out of four benign strictures were relieved at one session, and the remaining two needed repeated sessions of balloon dilatation. Symptoms did not improve in the patient with malignant stricture in~pite of balloon dilatation, and feeding jejunostomy was reginred. Partial tear of anastomosis site occurred in one patient, however, it did not require any treatment. CONCLUSION: Balloon dilatation is relatively safe and effective in the treatment of postoperative stricture at the gastrointestinal tract.