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Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology
Published in: Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology 1/2015

Open Access 01-03-2015 | Esophagus (E Dellon, Section Editor)

Refractory Esophageal Strictures: What To Do When Dilation Fails

Authors: Petra G. A. van Boeckel, MD, PhD, Peter D. Siersema

Published in: Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology | Issue 1/2015

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Opinion statement

Benign esophageal strictures arise from a diversity of causes, for example esophagogastric reflux, esophageal resection, radiation therapy, ablative therapy, or the ingestion of a corrosive substance. Most strictures can be treated successfully with endoscopic dilation using bougies or balloons, with only a few complications. Nonetheless, approximately one third of patients develop recurrent symptoms after dilation within the first year. The majority of these patients are managed with repeat dilations, depending on their complexity. Dilation combined with intra lesional steroid injections can be considered for peptic strictures, while incisional therapy has been demonstrated to be effective for Schatzki rings and anastomotic strictures. When these therapeutic options do not resolve the stenosis, stent placement should be considered. Self bougienage can be proposed to a selected group of patients with a proximal stenosis. As a final step surgery is an option, but even then the risk of stricture formation at the anastomotic site remains. This chapter reviews refractory benign esophageal strictures and the treatment options that are currently available.
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Metadata
Title
Refractory Esophageal Strictures: What To Do When Dilation Fails
Authors
Petra G. A. van Boeckel, MD, PhD
Peter D. Siersema
Publication date
01-03-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 1092-8472
Electronic ISSN: 1534-309X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11938-014-0043-6

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