Balloon catheter dilatation of esophageal strictures

The authors performed 27 fluoroscopically guided balloon dilatation in 12 patients of esophageal strictureduring recent 3 years. The causes of esophageal stricture were corrosive esophagitis(N=2) and congenitalnarrowing(N=1), including postoperative narrowing in achalasia(N=3), esophageal varix(N=3), lye stricture(N=2) andesophageal cancer(N=1). Sussessful dilatation of the stricture was achieved during the procedure in 10 patients(83%). Major complication such as esophageal rupture was not found. The authors concluded thatfluoroscopicaly guided esophageal balloon dilatation is a safe and effective method for treatment of symptomatic esophageal strictures.