Dilation of refractory benign esophageal strictures

Local triamcinolone injection and selective add-on oral steroids to prevent esophageal post-endoscopic submucosal dissection stricture: a retrospective analysis in a Western center

BACKGROUND

Extensive esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissections (ESDs) without preventive measures carry a high risk of stricture. Oral steroids and local injection of triamcinolone acetonide have proven to be effective in Asia for the prevention of esophageal stricture. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a systematic steroid administration protocol for stricture prevention in a Western center.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of all esophageal ESDs performed at H.U.B. Erasme Hospital, Brussels between 2016 and 2022. Injection of triamcinolone was performed for mucosal defects between 50% and 89% of the circumference. We added oral corticosteroids for patients with resections of ≥90% of the circumference. The primary outcome was the incidence of symptomatic stenosis at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included the cumulative stricture rate assessed by endoscopy within 6 months of ESD. Potential risk factors of stricture were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

111 patients underwent 130 esophageal ESDs, with 59 patients receiving triamcinolone acetonide local injection and eight receiving local and oral corticosteroids. The primary outcome demonstrated a stricture incidence of 8.4%. The cumulative stricture rate assessed by endoscopy within 6 months of ESD was 10.4%. A mucosal defect of ≥60 mm in length was associated with a 15-fold increased risk of stricture, with circumferential extent also identified as being an independent prognostic factor for stricture.

CONCLUSIONS

Our protocol led to a low stricture rate, even after extensive resection. As a single session treatment without systemic side effects, triamcinolone injection could provide benefits as a preventive method after large esophageal resections.

Complete circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection for early Barrett's neoplasia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is carving out an increasing role in the treatment of esophageal neoplasia in the Western world. Contrary to Asia, most esophageal cancers in North America are associated with Barrett's esophagus. Patients with circumferential advanced neoplasia were previously managed by esophagectomy, but an increased experience with ESD has allowed for an endoscopic alternative. We present our experience with complete circumferential esophageal ESD at a North American referral center.

METHODS

All patients undergoing 100% circumferential esophageal ESD between October 2016 and January 2023 at a single tertiary care center in Canada were included in the cohort. Demographics, procedural data, and lesion characteristics are presented in this series.

RESULTS

Eleven patients underwent 100% circumferential esophageal ESD during this period for Barrett's neoplasia. All patients had technically successful procedures with en-bloc resection. Nine patients (82%) had R0 resections, defined as clear lateral and deep margins on histologic examination. Two patients had positive deep margins on histologic examination and proceeded to esophagectomy. Seven patients (64%) had adenocarcinoma on the final pathology, of which 6 (86%) had upstaging from their initial biopsy sampling results. The median area of resected specimen was 48 cm2 (interquartile range [IQR], 26-80), and the median procedure time was 231 minutes (IQR, 180-246). Procedural efficiency was 4.0 min/cm2 (IQR, 2.7-5). Two patients (18%) developed refractory strictures after the procedure, which were endoscopically managed to resolution.

CONCLUSIONS

Multifocal dysplastic Barrett's esophagus remains a challenging entity to treat. Circumferential ESD is a possible therapeutic option, with high procedural success and a low rate of adverse outcomes. This should be balanced against the risk of stricture development, as the optimal postprocedural prophylaxis regimen is investigated.

Endoscopic Management of Congenital Esophageal Defects and Associated Comorbidities

The endoscopist plays a critical role in the management of patients with congenital esophageal defects. This review focuses on esophageal atresia and congenital esophageal strictures and, in particular, the endoscopic management of comorbidities related to these conditions, including anastomotic strictures, tracheoesophageal fistulas, esophageal perforations, and esophagitis surveillance. Practical aspects of endoscopic techniques for stricture management are reviewed including dilation, intralesional steroid injection, stenting, and endoscopic incisional therapy. Endoscopic surveillance for mucosal pathology is essential in this population, as patients are at high risk of esophagitis and its late complications such as Barrett's esophagus.

Endoscopic versus fluoroscopic esophageal dilatations in children with esophageal strictures: 10-year experience

Esophageal strictures in children may cause dysphagia, choking during feeds, and failure to thrive. They can be treated by balloon dilatations, either under endoscopic or fluoroscopic guidance; there is no literature comparing the methods. Retrospective review of the medical records of children (0-18 years) who were treated with balloon dilatations between 2010 and 2020. The primary outcome was the number of dilatation sessions required until clinical success after 3 months. Secondary outcomes were long-term success at 12 months, and complications of bleeding and perforation. Forty-six patients underwent 174 dilatation sessions. Success rates in the endoscopy and fluoroscopy groups were similar: 62% versus 67% (p = 0.454) at 3 months and 57% versus 67% (p = 0.721) at 12 months. Complication rate was lower in the endoscopy group (0% vs. 15%, p < 0.001). Both endoscopic and radiologic-guided balloon dilatations were shown to be equally effective, but endoscopic guidance had fewer complications.

Endoscopic radial incision versus endoscopic balloon dilation as initial treatments of benign esophageal anastomotic stricture

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic radial incision (ERI) versus endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) treatment of naïve, recurrent, and refractory benign esophageal anastomotic strictures.

METHODS

One hundred and one ERI, 145 EBD, and 42 ERI combined with EBD sessions were performed in 136 consecutive patients with benign esophageal anastomotic stricture after esophagectomy at Zhongshan Hospital from January 2016 to August 2021. Baseline characteristics, operational procedures, and clinical outcomes data were retrospectively evaluated. Parameters and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared between ERI and EBD in patients with naïve or recurrent or refractory strictures. Risk factors for re-stricture after ERI were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine ERI versus 68 EBD sessions were performed for naïve stricture, 26 ERI versus 60 EBD for recurrent strictures, and 46 ERI versus 17 EBD for refractory stricture. With comparable baseline characteristics, RFS was greater in the ERI than the EBD group for naïve strictures (P = 0.0449). The ERI group had a lower 12-month re-stricture rate than the EBD group (37.9% vs 61.8%, P = 0.0309) and a more prolonged patency time (181.5 ± 263.1 vs 74.5 ± 82.0, P = 0.0233). Between the two interventions, recurrent and refractory strictures had similar RFS (P = 0.0598; P = 0.7668). Multivariate analysis revealed initial ERI treatment was an independent predictive factor for lower re-stricture risk after ERI intervention (odds ratio = 0.047, P = 0.001). Few adverse events were observed after ERI or EBD (3.0% vs 2.1%, P = 0.6918).

CONCLUSIONS

ERI is associated with lower re-stricture rates with better patency and RFS compared with EBD for naive strictures.

Endoscopic approach to eosinophilic esophagitis: American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Consensus Conference

Endoscopy plays a critical role in caring for and evaluating the patient with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Endoscopy is essential for diagnosis, assessment of response to therapy, treatment of esophageal strictures, and ongoing monitoring of patients in histologic remission. To date, less-invasive testing for identifying or grading EoE severity has not been established, whereas diagnostic endoscopy as integral to both remains the criterion standard. Therapeutic endoscopy in patients with adverse events of EoE may also be required. In particular, dilation may be essential to treat and attenuate progression of the disease in select patients to minimize further fibrosis and stricture formation. Using a modified Delphi consensus process, a group of 20 expert clinicians and investigators in EoE were assembled to provide guidance for the use of endoscopy in EoE. Through an iterative process, the group achieved consensus on 20 statements yielding comprehensive advice on tissue-sampling standards, gross assessment of disease activity, use and performance of endoscopic dilation, and monitoring of disease, despite an absence of high-quality evidence. Key areas of controversy were identified when discussions yielded an inability to reach agreement on the merit of a statement. We expect that with ongoing research, higher-quality evidence will be obtained to enable creation of a guideline for these issues. We further anticipate that forthcoming expert-generated and agreed-on statements will provide valuable practice advice on the role and use of endoscopy in patients with EoE.

Utilization of chest tube as an esophagus stent in pediatric caustic injuries: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The management of caustic esophageal burns in the pediatric population has changed over the years, while the most optimal management with regards to effectiveness, availability, and cost-beneficent stays controvertible.

AIM

To describe how to utilize a chest tube for esophageal stenting in pediatrics.

METHODS

Data regarding the etiology, treatment, and complications of caustic injury in pediatrics over 10 years was collected retrospectively. Furthermore, data regarding the patient's follow-up who underwent esophageal chest tube (ECT) were collected. The ECT was prepared by carving a narrowed section in the chest tube while maintaining the radiopaque section. The ECT will then be positioned from the cricopharyngeal and exited through the nostril and fixed on the patient's cheek.

RESULTS

During the period of our study, data from 57 patients with an average age of 2.5 years (range 1-12; SD = 1.7) were obtained. The results showed that 89% of esophageal injury was due to alkaline and 9.4% were caused by acidic agents. The treatment methods showed that 29 patients (50.8%) recovered with dilatation alone. In 16 patients (28.06%), the esophageal repair was performed by using the colon, and in 5 patients (8.7%), other surgical methods were used and in 7 patients (12.2%), the ECT stents were used. ECT was inserted in 7 cases with a mean age of 2 (range: 1.5-3) years who were classified as grade IIB or III. Grading was performed by endoscopy assessment on the first day. Antibiotics and corticosteroids were administrated as initial medical management for all patients. ECT implantation was done during the first 8 d for 5 out of 7 cases (mean: 3.8 d). For the 2 patients, ECT was used after 27 (patient 6) d and 83 (patient 7) d. The reason for late stenting in these patients was a postponed referral to our center, in which patient 7 even received 4 dilation episodes before visiting our center. ECT was removed after an average of 44 d in the first 5 patients, while in the other 2 patients (6 and 7) was 2 and 1 wk, respectively. There was no complication related to, or failure of, stent placement. It is worth mentioning that none of the 7 ECT cases required gastrostomy or jejunostomy.

CONCLUSION

The ECT method introduced in our study can be used as a broadly available, economic, and easy-use facility for esophageal stenting, particularly in developing countries and emergency departments which have limited access to modern equipment. Further multicenter studies with higher volume patients are required for further deployment of this method.

Pivotal trial of a biodegradable stent for patients with refractory benign esophageal stricture

OBJECTIVE

Benign esophageal strictures (BES) cause dysphagia and decrease patients' quality of life. Although mechanical dilation is the standard of care for BES, in some patients, dysphagia is unrelieved despite repeated procedures. The biodegradable stent was developed to resolve refractory BES, with reported favorable outcomes, but it is unapproved in Japan. Thus, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of the biodegradable stent (BDS) for patients with refractory BES for regulatory approval.

METHODS

This was a nonrandomized single-arm prospective trial conducted at eight institutions. We included patients with BES after ≥ 5 times of dilation or ≥ one time of radial incision and cutting whose dysphagia score (DS) was 2 or worse and an endoscope could not admit. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients whose DS improvement of ≤ 1 was maintained at 3 months.

RESULTS

Thirty patients (median age: 69 years, male/female: 27:3) were enrolled and treated; BDS placement failed in 1 patient. Fourteen patients maintained their DS improvement until 3 months after placement (proportion of DS improvement at 3 months 46.7% [95% CI: 28.3-65.7]), and the median dysphagia-free survival was 98 days [95% CI: 68-123]. Most adverse events could be managed conservatively; however, a patient with BES after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) developed an esophago-left atrium fistula and died approximately 4 months after stent placement.

CONCLUSION

The BDS was effective for refractory BES and the safety was acceptable. However, the indication for this procedure in patients RECEIVING CRT for esophageal cancer should be carefully considered.

Outcomes of the management of corrosive injuries of the upper digestive tract in a tertiary care center

Esophageal stricture is the most common delayed sequelae of aerodigestive tract corrosive injuries. Early endoscopic dilatation is an integral part of corrosive injury management. Self-dilatation of the esophagus is effective in preventing stricture recurrence. In this prospective study, we included patients with corrosive aerodigestive tract injury from January 2009 to December 2020. We analyzed the outcome of the endoscopic dilatation and self-dilatation treatments administered to patients with a corrosive esophageal stricture. Among 295 patients, 164 had an esophageal injury, 73 had esophago-gastric injury, 55 had a gastric injury, and 3 had the pharyngeal injury. Of the 295 patients, 194 (81.85%) underwent dilatation, and 13 patients with diffuse esophageal injury underwent upfront surgery. Successful dilatation was performed in 169 (87.11%) patients. Of the 68 patients undergoing self-dilatation, 63 patients achieved nutritional autonomy by 28 days. Early endoscopic dilatation effectively prevents surgery, and self-dilatation appears promising to prevent recurrent esophageal stricture.

Futuristic Developments and Applications in Endoluminal Stenting

Endoscopic stenting is a well-established option for the treatment of malignant obstruction, temporary management of benign strictures, and sealing transmural defects, as well as drainage of pancreatic fluid collections and biliary obstruction. In recent years, in addition to expansion in indications for endoscopic stenting, considerable strides have been made in stent technology, and several types of devices with advanced designs and materials are continuously being developed. In this review, we discuss the important developments in stent designs and novel indications for endoluminal and transluminal stenting. Our discussion specifically focuses on (i) biodegradable as well as (ii) irradiating and drug-eluting stents for esophageal, gastroduodenal, biliary, and colonic indications, (iii) endoscopic stenting in inflammatory bowel disease, and (iv) lumen-apposing metal stent.

Endoscopic Evaluation and Management of Late Complications After Bariatric Surgery: a Narrative Review

Despite ongoing evolution in technique and a low mortality rate, clinicians may care for patients who suffer late complications (> 90 days of surgery) after bariatric surgery. Endoscopic techniques are used to identify and manage many of the late complications of the two most commonly performed bariatric surgeries: sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Stenosis at the incisura angularis and gastroesophageal reflux disease may occur in patients who have undergone a sleeve gastrectomy. Patients who underwent a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can suffer marginal ulceration, gastrojejunal anastomotic stricture, and gastro-gastric fistula. Clinicians may also encounter biliary pathologies such as choledocholithiasis, chronic abdominal pain, and weight regain. This narrative review provides an update on the endoscopic evaluation and management of patients with late complications after sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Incisional Therapy and Balloon Dilatation for Esophageal Anastomotic Stricture

BACKGROUND

Benign esophageal anastomotic strictures have typically been treated using endoscopic methods, often with balloon dilatation (BD). However, recurrent esophageal strictures after BD have been reported. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic incisional therapy (EIT) and BD for treating an anastomotic stricture after a total gastrectomy.

METHODS

Subjects who underwent EIT or BD as a first treatment for esophagojejunostomy anastomotic stricture after a total gastrectomy between January 2010 and December 2018 were eligible. The medical records of these cases were retrospectively reviewed. Stricture was defined as an inability to pass a normal diameter endoscope (10.2 mm). The stricture area was incised under direct vision with the nano-insulated-tip knife in a radial fashion parallel to the longitudinal axis of the esophagus.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients in our database presented with benign anastomotic stricture after a total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. The BD group included 12 patients. The remaining nine patients underwent EIT, and three of these cases received an immediate additional BD. The re-stricture rate was significantly different between the BD and EIT groups (41.7% vs. 0%, respectively; P = 0.045). There were no significant differences in procedure time, interval from surgery to first stricture, hospitalization period, or complication rates between the groups. One patient developed a microperforation during BD and was treated without surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

EIT is a safe and effective primary treatment modality compared with BD for esophagojejunostomy anastomotic stricture after a total gastrectomy as it shows a significantly lower re-stricture rate.

Endoscopic Management of Refractory Benign Esophageal Strictures

Benign esophageal strictures are commonly encountered in clinical practice. The principal etiologies of benign esophageal strictures include long term acid reflux, caustic injuries, eosinophilic esophagitis, anastomotic strictures or endoscopic therapy. Dysphagia is most prominently present in esophageal strictures along with a variety of other symptoms which depend on the stricture etiology. Benign esophageal strictures can be categorized into two groups: simple or complex depending on their structure. Most strictures can be treated successfully with endoscopic dilation by bougies or balloons dilators. In some cases, treatment is more challenging, involving a higher risk of the patient developing recurrent or refractory strictures. To improve symptoms in these patients, other endoscopic treatments such as steroid injection, incisional therapy and stent placement should be considered. In this manuscript, we provide a comprehensive review of the main treatment options currently available to manage recurrent benign esophageal strictures.

Endoscopic management of benign recalcitrant esophageal strictures

Benign esophageal strictures are one of the common clinical conditions managed by endoscopists. Nearly 90% of the benign esophageal strictures respond to endoscopic dilation. However, a small percentage of patients progress to recalcitrant strictures. The benign recalcitrant esophageal strictures are difficult to manage both medically and endoscopically as they do not respond to conventional treatment with proton pump inhibitors and esophageal dilations. Patients with benign recalcitrant esophageal strictures are at a high risk of developing debilitating malnutrition and morbidity due to severe dysphagia. This condition is associated with psychological trauma to patients as treatments are usually prolonged with poor outcomes. Also, this can be a financial burden on the healthcare industry due to several sessions of treatment. In this article, we discuss the classification of benign esophageal strictures, evidence-based treatment strategies, endoscopic procedural techniques, and complications of endoscopic interventions. We aim to guide providers in managing benign esophageal strictures with a focus on endoscopic management of benign recalcitrant esophageal strictures.

Carotid-Esophageal Fistula Treated By Endovascular Approach

The carotid-esophageal fistula is a rare and serious complication of the metallic esophageal prosthesis. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and treatment, decreasing the morbidity and mortality rate of this severe complication. We report a case of a 4-year-old boy presenting severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to a carotid-esophageal fistula, secondary to deployment of an esophageal metallic prosthesis for treatment of a recurrent stenosis. The carotid pseudo-aneurism was successfully treated with stents and coils. Although endovascular treatment is a safe and effective option, arterial stenting in children needs further studies with long-term follow-up.

Intralesional steroids and endoscopic dilation for anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Post-esophagectomy anastomotic strictures are difficult to treat. The impact of adding local steroid injection to endoscopic dilation for the treatment of post-esophagectomy anastomotic strictures is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of performing steroid injection in addition to dilation.

METHODS

A search was conducted in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science from inception to January 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of endoscopic dilation plus either local steroid injection (steroid group) or saline injection (placebo group) were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

Three RCTs were eligible for the final analysis: 72 patients (mean age 61.3 years, 74 % male) in the steroid group and 72 patients (mean age 59.6 years, 71 % male) in the placebo group. The mean number of dilations required to resolve the stricture was significantly lower in the steroid group compared with the placebo group, with a mean weighted difference of -1.62 (95 % confidence interval [CI] -2.73 to -0.50; P = 0.004). After 6 months of follow-up, there was a trend toward more patients in the steroid group remaining dysphagia free compared with the placebo group, with a pooled odds ratio of 2.36 (95 %CI 0.94 to 5.91; P = 0.07, I2  = 24 %).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis showed that the addition of local steroid injection at the time of dilation for benign anastomotic strictures led to a significant decrease in the number of procedures required to resolve the stricture and may well reduce dysphagia symptoms during follow-up.

Conservative treatment of caustic oesophageal injuries in children: 15 years of experience in a tertiary care paediatric centre

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic dilatation is good choice of conservative treatment for caustic digestive tract injuries in children.

AIM

To set up a strategy of management of caustic digestive tract injury based on our experience and literature review.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed medical records of 34 paediatric patients who were admitted to the Centre of Paediatric Surgery of the Children's Hospital between 2000 and 2017. Age at presentation, gender, anatomic location, circumstances and distribution of injury, early and late complications, clinical signs, and the first aid were analysed. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy was performed within 12-24 h after ingestion in all cases. The Zargar classification system was used to grade the severity of the injury. Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis, with p < 0.05 considered as the limit of statistical significance.

RESULTS

The upper GI endoscopy revealed caustic injuries in 5 (15%) and 8 (23%) patients were classified as grade IIa and IIb, respectively. Oesophageal and ventricle caustic injuries in 3 (9%) and 2 (6%) patients were classified as grade IIIa and IIIb, respectively. Thirteen patients with grade IIa and IIIb injuries suffered permanent damage and required repeated dilatation. All patients underwent stricture treatment using late or early endoscopic dilatation of the oesophagus. An average of 15 dilatation procedures were required to achieve a satisfactory lumen.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience of 34 children revealed that endoscopic dilatation may be required as a primary treatment for oesophageal strictures.

Lumen-apposing Metal Stents, Fully Covered Self-expanding Metal Stents, and Biodegradable Stents in the Management of Benign of GI Strictures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Refractory benign gastrointestinal (GI) strictures are difficult to treat and placement of a stent is a commonly sought resort. Stents used for this purpose are fully covered self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS), a biodegradable stent (BDS) and recently, a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS). There is no data comparing these stents to this end.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases and conference proceedings (from inception through October 2018) to identify studies that reported on the performance of FCSEMS, BDS, and LAMS in the treatment of refractory benign GI strictures. Our goals were to evaluate the pooled rate of technical success, clinical success, and adverse events with these stents and compare the outcomes between them.

RESULTS

A total of 31 studies were analyzed. In total, 14 (342 patients), 11 (226 patients), and 8 studies (192 patients) reported the use of FCSEMS, BDS, and LAMS, respectively. The pooled rate of technical success was 96.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 93.5-98.1], 91.9% (95% CI: 85.6-95.6), and 97.6% (95% CI: 94.0-99.0) with FCSEMS, BDS, and LAMS respectively. No statistical significance to the difference was noted. The pooled rate of clinical success was 48.4% (95% CI: 37.1-59.8), 34.9% (95% CI: 23.6-48.1), and 78.8% (95% CI: 65.8-87.8) with FCSEMS, BDS, and LAMS, respectively. Statistical significance was noted in LAMS versus FCSEMS (P=0.001) and LAMS versus BDS (P=0.001). LAMS demonstrated statistically better outcomes in regards to stent migration and postprocedure pain when compared with FCSEMS and BDS.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that LAMS gives better clinical outcomes in the treatment of refractory benign GI strictures when compared with FCSEMS and BDS. Variability in the site, as well as the length of stricture, indirect comparison, and heterogeneity, were the limitations of our study.

Incisional endoscopic therapy as a therapeutic alternative in esophageal anastomotic strictures refractory to conventional treatment

Esophageal anastomotic strictures are a non-negligible cause of benign strictures and secondary dysphagia. It should be noted that these are often complex strictures, with a large ischemic-fibrotic component. Thus, they are difficult to treat due to their recurrence, despite endoscopic dilation. Endoscopic incisional therapy appears as a therapeutic alternative in this type of patient, which allows the elimination of the stenotic ring, with a good efficacy and safety profile. We present the case of a patient with postoperative esophageal strictures refractory to treatment with dilation and endoscopic prosthesis, who was finally satisfactorily treated with incisional therapy.

Endoscopic Dilation of Refractory Postlaryngectomy Strictures: A Case Series and Literature Review

Background

Endoscopic dilation of postlaryngectomy strictures (PLS) is safe and effective; however, PLS are often refractory and require serial dilations. Long-term outcomes of dilation in patients with refractory PLS are not well reported.

Materials and Methods

Seven patients with dysphagia and refractory PLS underwent serial endoscopic dilation therapy during a 4.5-year period. Dilation characteristics, technical success, clinical success, and diet advancement (as assessed by Diet/GT scale) were measured. Results. All strictures were complex, and there were no reported complications. The median number of dilations per patient was 12 (range 7 to 48). The average interval in between dilations was six weeks. Technical success was achieved in 6/7 patients, and clinical success was achieved in 2/7 patients. 6/7 patients had advancements in Diet/GT scores.

Conclusions

Dilation of refractory PLS is safe and effective and frequently requires the use of a retrograde approach, fluoroscopic guidance, and/or lumen patency strings. Serial dilations are required to maintain luminal patency, relieve dysphagia, and advance oral diet. The definition of clinical success of dilation in these patients should avoid the use of a specific time interval between dilations to characterize success.

Mucosal loss as a critical factor in esophageal stricture formation after mucosal resection: a pilot experiment in a porcine model

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Esophageal stricture is a major complication of large areas endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Until now, the critical mechanism of esophageal stricture remains unclear. We examined the role of mucosal loss versus submucosal damage in esophageal stricture formation after mucosal resection using a porcine model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve swine were randomly divided into two groups, each of 6. In each group, two 5-cm-long submucosal tunnels were made to involve 1/3rd of the widths of the anterior and posterior esophageal circumference. The entire mucosal roofs of both tunnels were resected in group A. In group B, the tunnel roof mucosa was incised longitudinally along the length of the tunnel, but without excision of any mucosa. Stricture formation was evaluated by endoscopy after 1, 2, and 4 weeks, respectively. Anatomical and histological examinations were performed after euthanasia.

RESULTS

Healing observed on endoscopy in both groups after 1 week. Group A (mucosa resected) developed mild-to-severe esophageal stricture, dysphagia, and weight loss. In contrast, no esophageal stricture was evident in group B (mucosa incisions without resection) after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. Macroscopic examination showed severe esophageal stricture and shortening of esophagus in only group A. Inflammation and fibrous hyperplasia of the submucosal layer was observed on histological examination in both groups.

CONCLUSION

The extent of loss of esophageal mucosa appears to be a critical factor for esophageal stricture. Inflammation followed by fibrosis may contribute to alteration in compliance of the esophagus but is not the main mechanism of postresection stricture.

Effectiveness of an orally administered steroid gel at preventing restenosis after endoscopic balloon dilation of benign esophageal stricture

BACKGROUND

Restenosis occurs in 10% to 30% of patients after endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) of benign esophageal stricture. This study aimed to investigate whether an orally administered steroid/gel mixture would inhibit restenosis after EBD for benign esophageal stricture.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included patients with benign esophageal stricture treated with EBD at the Peking University Third Hospital, China (September 2005 to October 2017). The patients were divided into an EBD alone group (EBD only) and EBD/OHA group (EBD plus oral hydrocortisone sodium succinate/aluminum phosphate gel mixture). Patients were followed-up for 3 months. EBD was repeated for persistent dysphagia. The outcome measures included the restenosis rate and the number of additional EBD sessions required during follow-up. Any side effects were noted.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were included (EBD alone group, n = 12; EBD/OHA group, n = 20). Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics (including age, sex, etiology, stricture location, and diameter of narrowest segment) did not differ between groups. Restenosis rate was significantly lower in the EBD/OHA group than in the EBD alone group (5/20, 25.0% vs 8/12, 66.7%; P = .025). The median number of EBD sessions required was numerically lower in the EBD/OHA group (median, 1.0; interquartile range, 1.0-1.8) than in the EBD alone group (median 2.0, interquartile ranged 1.0-2.5), but statistical significance was not attained (P = .071). The only side effects occurred in the EBD/OHA group: hypokalemia in 4/20 (20.0%) and apathy/somnolence in 1/20 (5.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

An orally administered steroid/gel mixture might reduce the incidence of restenosis after EBD for benign esophageal stricture, but it requires confirmation by prospective trials.

Economical effect of lumen apposing metal stents for treating benign foregut strictures

AIM

To evaluate the clinical and economical efficacy of lumen apposing metal stent (LAMS) in the treatment of benign foregut strictures.

METHODS

A single center retrospective database of patients who underwent endoscopic treatment of benign foregut strictures between January 2014 and May 2017 was analyzed. A control group of non-stented patients who underwent three endoscopic dilations was compared to patients who underwent LAMS placement. Statistical tests performed included independent t-tests and five-parameter regression analysis

RESULTS

Nine hundred and ninety-eight foregut endoscopic dilations were performed between January 2014 and May 2017. 15 patients underwent endoscopic LAMS placement for treatment of benign foregut stricture. Thirty-six patients with recurrent benign foregut strictures underwent three or more endoscopic dilations without stent placement. The cost ratio of endoscopic dilation to LAMS (stent, placement and retrieval) is 5.77. Cost effective analysis demonstrated LAMS to be economical after three endoscopic dilation overall. LAMS was cost effective after two dilations in the Post-surgical stricture subgroup.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopists should consider LAMS for the treatment of benign foregut strictures if symptoms persist past three endoscopic dilations. Post-surgical strictures may benefit from LAMS if symptoms persist after two dilations in a post-surgical. Early intervention with LAMS appears to be a clinically and economically viable option for durable symptomatic relief in patients with these strictures.

Role of endoscopy in caustic injury of the esophagus

Caustic injury of the esophagus is a problematic condition challenging endoscopists worldwide. Although the caustic agents and motives are different among countries and age groups, endoscopy still plays an invaluable role in diagnosis and treatment. Endoscopy can determine the severity of caustic ingestion which is of great importance in choosing appropriate treatment. However, some aspects of endoscopy in diagnosis of caustic injury remain controversial. Whether or not all patients need endoscopy, when to perform endoscopy and how to assess the severity are just some examples of these controversies. Due to lack of randomized controlled trials, many findings and suggestions are inconclusive. Computerized tomography scan of the chest and abdomen gains popularity in assessing the severity of caustic injury and avoiding unnecessary surgery. If esophageal stricture eventually develops, endoscopic dilatation is a mainstay. Maneuvers such as steroid injection and esophageal stent may be used in a refractory stricture. Nevertheless, some patients have to undergo surgery in spite of vigorous attempts with esophageal dilatation. To date, caustic injury remains a difficult situation. This article reviews all aspects of caustic injury of the esophagus focusing on endoscopic role. Pre-endoscopic management, endoscopy and its technique in acute and late phase of caustic injury including the endoscopic management of refractory stricture, and the treatment outcomes following each endoscopic intervention are thoroughly discussed. Finally, the role of endoscopy in the long term follow-up of patients with esophageal caustic injury is addressed.

Endoscopic Balloon Dilation Followed By Intralesional Steroid Injection for Anastomotic Strictures After Esophagectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) is a standard treatment for anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy, and requires multiple dilations. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of adding a steroid injection to EBD to reduce restricture.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to receive EBD combined with either triamcinolone or placebo injection. The primary endpoint was the number of dilations required to resolve the stricture. The secondary endpoints were restricture-free survival and adverse events. Patients with a dysphagia symptom score of ≥2 after esophagectomy with an endoscopy-confirmed anastomotic stricture were included. A total of 50 mg of triamcinolone acetonide (50 mg/5 mL) or an identical volume of normal saline solution as a placebo was injected per site using a 25-gauge needle immediately after EBD. Both the patient and treating physician were blinded to the treatment given.

RESULTS

During the 4-year study period, 65 patients were randomized to either the steroid group (n = 33) or placebo group (n = 32). The median number of EBDs required to resolve strictures was 2.0 (interquartile range, 1.0-2.5) in the steroid group and 4.0 (interquartile range, 2.0-6.8) in the placebo group (p < 0.001). After 6 months of follow-up, 39% of patients who had received steroid injections remained recurrence free compared with 16% of those who had received saline injections (p = 0.002). No adverse events occurred during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Steroid injection shows promising results for the prevention of stricture recurrence in patients who underwent EBD for anastomotic strictures.

Endoscopic Electrocautery Incisional Therapy as a Treatment for Refractory Benign Pediatric Esophageal Strictures

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Refractory esophageal strictures are rare conditions in pediatrics, and are often due to anastomotic, congenital, or caustic strictures. Traditional treatment options include serial dilation and surgical stricture resection; endoscopic intralesional steroid injections, mitomycin C, and externally removable stents combined with dilation have had variable success rates. Although not as widely used, endoscopic electrocautery incisional therapy (EIT) has been reported as an alternative treatment for refractory strictures in a small number of adult series. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EIT in a pediatric population with refractory esophageal strictures.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients who underwent EIT for esophageal strictures (May 2011-September 2017) at our tertiary-care referral center. A total of 57 patients underwent EIT. Procedural success was defined as no stricture resection, appropriate diameter for age, and fewer than 7 dilations within 24 months of first EIT session. This corresponded to the 90th percentile of the observed number of dilations in the data. All patients included in the study had at least 2-year follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 133 EIT sessions on 58 distinct anastomotic strictures were performed on 57 patients (24 girls). The youngest patient to have EIT was 3 months old and 4.8 kg. There were 36 strictures that met the criteria for refractory stricture and 22 non-refractory (NR) strictures. The median number of dilations before EIT therapy was 8 (interquartile range [IQR]: 6-10) in the refractory group and 3 (IQR: 0-3) in the NR group. In the refractory group, 61% of the patients met the criteria for treatment success. The median number of dilations within 2 years of EIT in the refractory group was 2 (IQR: 0-4). In the NR group, 100% of the patients met criteria for success. The median number of dilations within 2 years of EIT in the NR was 1 (IQR: 0-2). The overall adverse event rate was 5.3% (7/133), with 3 major (2.3%) and 4 minor events (3%).

CONCLUSIONS

EIT shows promise as an adjunct treatment option for pediatric refractory esophageal strictures and may be considered before surgical resection even in severe cases. The complication rate, albeit low, is significant, and EIT should only be considered by experienced endoscopists in close consultation with surgery. Further prospective longitudinal studies are needed to validate this treatment.

Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Intralesional Triamcinolone Injection for Benign Esophageal Strictures

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic intralesional triamcinolone injection (ITI) for benign esophageal strictures combined with endoscopic dilation (ED).

Methods

Online databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were comprehensively searched for prospective randomized control trials (RCTs) between 1966 and March 2018. A meta-analysis was conducted according to the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration.

Results

Six RCTs consisting of 176 patients were selected. Meta-analysis results showed that additional ITI had a significant advantage in terms of stricture rate and required ED sessions. Surgery-related and non-surgery-related strictures showed similar results. Additional ITI was not associated with significantly increased risk of complications.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis showed that additional ITI therapy was supposed to be effective and safe for benign esophageal strictures as it reduced the stricture rate and required ED sessions. However, more RCTs are necessary to support these findings.

UK guidelines on oesophageal dilatation in clinical practice

These are updated guidelines which supersede the original version published in 2004. This work has been endorsed by the Clinical Services and Standards Committee of the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) under the auspices of the oesophageal section of the BSG. The original guidelines have undergone extensive revision by the 16 members of the Guideline Development Group with representation from individuals across all relevant disciplines, including the Heartburn Cancer UK charity, a nursing representative and a patient representative. The methodological rigour and transparency of the guideline development processes were appraised using the revised Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool.Dilatation of the oesophagus is a relatively high-risk intervention, and is required by an increasing range of disease states. Moreover, there is scarcity of evidence in the literature to guide clinicians on how to safely perform this procedure. These guidelines deal specifically with the dilatation procedure using balloon or bougie devices as a primary treatment strategy for non-malignant narrowing of the oesophagus. The use of stents is outside the remit of this paper; however, for cases of dilatation failure, alternative techniques-including stents-will be listed. The guideline is divided into the following subheadings: (1) patient preparation; (2) the dilatation procedure; (3) aftercare and (4) disease-specific considerations. A systematic literature search was performed. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Develop-ment and Evaluation (GRADE) tool was used to evaluate the quality of evidence and decide on the strength of recommendations made.

Endoscopic Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

In eosinophilic esophagitis, the main cause of solid-food dysphagia is tissue remodeling resulting in strictures and narrowed esophagus. Endoscopy and biopsies help to identify the degree of inflammation but often miss the fibrosis. Although initially considered dangerous, esophageal dilation has evolved into an extremely effective and safe treatment in fibrostenotic disease. The key is starting low with small-diameter bougies or balloons, and gradually dilating the esophagus and strictures to 16 to 18 mm. Results in more than 1000 adults and children have shown low rates of complications, especially perforations, and no deaths, but postprocedure chest pain is common.

Esophageal dilation with either bougie or balloon technique as a treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Esophageal dilation is a now recognized to be an important therapeutic modality in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We aimed to evaluate the safety of esophageal dilation in EoE, especially regarding perforation risk, and to examine perforation risk by dilator type.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of the published literature from January 1, 1950 to June 30, 2016 using PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Studies were included if they described patients with EoE who underwent elective esophageal dilation and also reported the presence or absence of at least 1 adverse event (eg, perforation, bleeding, pain, or hospitalization). We used random-effects meta-analysis to estimate the frequency of each adverse event.

RESULTS

Of 923 identified articles, 37 met inclusion criteria and represented 2034 dilations in 977 patients. On meta-analysis, postprocedure hospitalization occurred in .689% of dilations (95% confidence interval [CI], 0%-1.42%), clinically significant GI hemorrhage in .028% (95% CI, 0%-.217%), and clinically significant chest pain in 3.64% (95% CI, 1.73%-5.55%). Nine perforations were documented, at a rate of .033% (95% CI, 0%-.226%) per procedure after meta-analysis. None of the perforations resulted in surgical intervention or mortality. Most (5/9) were reported before 2009 (rate, .41% [95% CI, 0%-2.75%]); from 2009 forward the rate was .030% (95% CI, 0%-.225%). Dilation method was described in 30 studies (1957 dilations), in which 4 perforations were detected. The estimated perforation rate for bougies was .022% (95% CI, 0%-.347%) and for balloons was .059% (95% CI, 0%-.374%).

CONCLUSIONS

Perforation from esophageal dilation in EoE is rare, and there is no evidence of a significant difference in perforation risk related to dilator type. Esophageal dilation should be considered a safe procedure in EoE.

Refluxo gastroesofágico em cadelas durante ovário-histerectomia convencional submetidas a diferentes medicações pré-anestésicas

RESUMO A doença do refluxo gastroesofágico decorre do fluxo de conteúdo gastroduodenal para o esôfago e/ou para os órgãos adjacentes, o que leva à ampla gama de sinais e implicações clínicas. É desconhecida a incidência de refluxo gastroesofágico transoperatório em caninos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi, por meio da endoscopia flexível, avaliar a presença do refluxo gastroesofágico em cadelas submetidas a ovário-histerectomia com base nos fármacos analgésicos utilizados na medicação pré-anestésica (morfina, tramadol ou metadona). Concluiu-se que não houve diferença na incidência de refluxo gastroesofágico transoperatório, não tendo os fármacos testados influenciado de forma diferente esse comportamento; porém, alguns animais do grupo morfina apresentaram êmese pré-operatória. A gravidade dos refluxos foi maior nas cadelas submetidas ao uso da metadona, de acordo com o método de avaliação utilizado para esta pesquisa.

Use of self-expanding nitinol stents in the pediatric management of refractory esophageal caustic stenosis

BACKGROUND

The treatment of recurrent esophageal stricture secondary to the ingestion of a caustic agent is an arduous task. Self-expanding esophageal stents may be an alternative to repeated endoscopic esophageal dilations.

CASE REPORT

We present the case of a two-year-old male with a severe and long esophageal stricture successfully treated by the combination of dilations and stent placement. After five months of serial pneumatic dilations, three self-expanding nitinol stents internally coated with silicone were introduced through a gastrostomy, covering the entire esophagus. The procedure was performed under endoscopic and radiological guidance. Three months later, the treatment was repeated with a single stent. A new stenosis in the proximal esophagus required surgical resection, and anastomosis followed by two pneumatic dilations for five months resulted in longer intervals where the patient was asymptomatic.

DISCUSSION

The results obtained were satisfactory, allowing the patient to conserve and use his own esophagus. However, this is a unique case and the optimal maintenance time and withdrawal time of the stent must be determined.

Safety and feasibility of esophageal self- expandable metal stent placement without the aid of fluoroscopy

Self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are used for the management of certain esophageal conditions such as strictures, perforations, and fistulae. These can be placed using fluoroscopic control, endoscopic control, or a combination of both. We evaluated our institutional experience of placing a SEMS using only endoscopy without the aid of fluoroscopy to determine safety and feasibility using this technique. A retrospective review was performed to identify all patients who underwent esophageal SEMS from January 2010 to June 2015. Placement of SEMS was accomplished under direct endoscopic visualization without the aid of fluoroscopy. Esophageal lesion was initially identified during endoscopy and a fully covered SEMS was passed over the guide wire and deployed under direct vision. Misplacement of the SEMS during the procedure that required replacement with another new SEMS was considered as a failed procedure. Other periprocedural complications caused by placement of SEMS were noted. A total of 172 patients underwent 280 procedures for SEMS placement. Mean age was 66 years. The most common indication for SEMS placement was stricture in 248 (88%) procedures. Periprocedure SEMS misplacement occurred in 12 (4%) patients. However, only 8 (3%) patients needed to have a new SEMS placed during the same procedure. A total of 64 (23%) patients had migration of SEMS. There were no other periprocedure complications leading to adverse events. Self-expandable metal stent can be placed accurately and safely under direct endoscopic visualization without the aid of fluoroscopy.

Dysphagia in the Elderly

OPINION STATEMENT

Dysphagia is a common problem in the elderly population with an especially high prevalence in hospitalized and institutionalized patients. If inadequately addressed, dysphagia leads to significant morbidity and contributes to decreased quality of life. Dysphagia can be categorized as emanating from either an oropharyngeal or esophageal process. A disproportionate number of elderly patients suffer from oropharyngeal dysphagia with a multifactorial etiology. Historically, treatment options have been limited and included mostly supportive care with a focus on dietary modification, food avoidance, and swallow rehabilitation. Nascent technologies such as the functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) and advances in esophageal manometry are improving our understanding of the pathophysiology of oropharyngeal dysphagia. Recent developments in the treatment of specific causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia, including endoscopic balloon dilations for upper esophageal sphincter (UES) dysfunction, show promise and are expected to enhance with further research. Esophageal dysphagia is also common in the elderly and more commonly due to an identifiable cause. The full breadth of treatment options is frequently unavailable to elderly patients due to comorbidities and overall functional status. However, the increasing availability of less invasive solutions to specific esophageal pathologies has augmented the number of treatment options available to this population, where an individualized approach to patient care is paramount. This review focuses on the evaluation and management of dysphagia in the elderly and delineates how standard and novel therapeutics are contributing to more nuanced and personalized management.

Caustic ingestion

Corrosive ingestion is a rare but potentially devastating event and, despite the availability of effective preventive public health strategies, injuries continue to occur. Most clinicians have limited personal experience and rely on guidelines; however, uncertainty persists about best clinical practice. Ingestions range from mild cases with no injury to severe cases with full thickness necrosis of the oesophagus and stomach. CT scan is superior to traditional endoscopy for stratification of patients to emergency resection or observation. Oesophageal stricture is a common consequence of ingestion and newer stents show some promise; however, the place of endoscopic stenting for corrosive strictures is yet to be defined. We summarise the evidence to provide a plan for managing these potentially life-threatening injuries and discuss the areas where further research is required to improve outcomes.

Anastomotic Strictures after Esophageal Atresia Repair: Incidence, Investigations, and Management, Including Treatment of Refractory and Recurrent Strictures

Improved surgical techniques, as well as preoperative and postoperative care, have dramatically changed survival of children with esophageal atresia (EA) over the last decades. Nowadays, we are increasingly seeing EA patients experiencing significant short- and long-term gastrointestinal morbidities. Anastomotic stricture (AS) is the most common complication following operative repair. An esophageal stricture is defined as an intrinsic luminal narrowing in a clinically symptomatic patient, but no symptoms are sensitive or specific enough to diagnose an AS. This review aims to provide a comprehensive view of AS in EA children. Given the lack of evidence-based data, we critically analyzed significant studies on children and adults, including comments on benign strictures with other etiologies. Despite there is no consensus about the goal of the luminal diameter based on the patient's age, esophageal contrast study, and/or endoscopy are recommended to assess the degree of the narrowing. A high variability in incidence of ASs is reported in literature, depending on different definitions of AS and on a great number of pre-, intra-, and postoperative risk factor influencing the anastomosis outcome. The presence of a long gap between the two esophageal ends, with consequent anastomotic tension, is determinant for stricture formation and its response to treatment. The cornerstone of treatment is endoscopic dilation, whose primary aims are to achieve symptom relief, allow age-appropriate capacity for oral feeding, and reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration. No clear advantage of either balloon or bougie dilator has been demonstrated; therefore, the choice is based on operator experience and comfort with the equipment. Retrospective evidences suggest that selective dilatations (performed only in symptomatic patients) results in significantly less number of dilatation sessions than routine dilations (performed to prevent symptoms) with equal long-term outcomes. The response to dilation treatment is variable, and some patients may experience recurrent and refractory ASs. Adjunctive treatments have been used, including local injection of steroids, topical application of mitomycin C, and esophageal stenting, but long-term studies are needed to prove their efficacy and safety. Stricture resection or esophageal replacement with an interposition graft remains options for AS refractory to conservative treatments.

Endoscopic treatment of benign esophageal strictures: a literature review

Benign esophageal strictures arise from various etiologies and are frequently encountered. Although endoscopic dilation is still the first-line therapy, recurrent strictures do occur in approximately 10% of the cases and remains a challenge to gastroenterologists. Areas covered: A literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases for original and review articles on endoscopic treatment of benign esophageal strictures. This review outlines the main available treatment options and its controversies in the management of refractory benign esophageal strictures. Expert commentary: Adding local steroid injections to dilation can be effective for peptic stenosis and strictures after endoscopic submucosal dissection, but remains uncertain for anastomotic strictures. Intralesional injections of mitomycin-C could be useful in corrosive strictures. Incisional therapy can be a reliable alternative in Schatzki rings and in anastomotic strictures, in experienced hands. By contrast, long-term outcome with endoprosthetic treatment is disappointing, and stent placement should be carefully considered and individualized.

Topical Mitomycin C application in the treatment of refractory benign esophageal strictures in adults and comprehensive literature review

BACKGROUND

Recurrent complex esophageal strictures remain difficult to manage.

AIMS

To determine the efficacy of topical Mitomycin C application for recurrent benign esophageal strictures.

METHODS

All patients who underwent balloon dilation followed by topical Mitomycin C application for recurrent benign esophageal strictures were included. Primary outcome was number of dilations and change of dysphagia score.

RESULTS

Nine patients with anastomotic (3), radiation-induced (3), caustic (2), and combined anastomotic and radiation-induced (1) strictures were included. Strictures had a mean length of 13.75mm, diameter of 8.0mm, and were dilated 10.7 times over a median of 8 months (1.5 dilations per month). Following Mitomycin C application, the need for further dilation decreased to 0.39 dilations per month over a median of 10 months; however, dysphagia scores improved not significantly from 3.2 to 2.6 (mean).

CONCLUSION

In this pilot study, topical Mitomycin C in conjunction with dilation decreased the frequency of esophageal dilations for recurrent benign esophageal strictures.

Risk factors associated with refractoriness to esophageal dilatation for benign dysphagia

BACKGROUND

Benign esophageal strictures need repeated dilatations to relieve dysphagia. Literature is scarce on the risk factors for refractoriness of these strictures.

AIM

This study aimed to assess the risk factors associated with refractory strictures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study of patients with benign esophageal strictures who were referred for esophageal dilatation over a period of 3 years.

RESULTS

A total of 327 esophageal dilatations were performed in 103 patients; 53% of the patients reported dysphagia for liquids. Clinical success was achieved in 77% of the patients. There was a need for further dilatations in 54% of patients, being more frequent in patients with dysphagia for liquids [78 vs. 64%, P=0.008, odds ratio (OR) 1.930], in those with caustic strictures (89 vs. 70%, P=0.007, OR 3.487), and in those with complex strictures (83 vs. 70%, P=0.047, OR 2.132). Caustic strictures, peptic strictures, and complex strictures showed statistical significance in the multivariate analysis. Time until subsequent dilatations was less in patients with dysphagia for liquids (49 vs. 182 days, P<0.001), in those with peptic strictures (49 vs. 98 days, P=0.004), in those with caustic strictures (49 vs. 78 days, P=0.005), and in patients with complex strictures (47 vs. 80 days P=0.009). In multivariate analysis, further dilatations occurred earlier in patients with dysphagia for liquids [hazard ratio (HR) 1.506, P=0.004], in those with peptic strictures (HR 1.644, P=0.002), in those with caustic strictures (HR 1.581, P=0.016), and in patients with complex strictures (HR 1.408, P=0.046).

CONCLUSION

Caustic, peptic, and complex strictures were associated with a greater need for subsequent dilatations. Time until subsequent dilatations was less in patients with dysphagia for liquids and in those with caustic, peptic, and complex strictures.

Factors affecting dilation force in balloon dilation of severe esophageal strictures: an experiment using an artificial stricture model

BACKGROUND

The multidiameter balloon catheter is used widely for severe esophageal stricture dilation. However, the relationships between inflation pressure, balloon size, and radial dilation force at the stricture site have not been examined fully.

METHODS

We performed an experiment using phantom models to investigate the relationships between inflation pressure, balloon size, and radial dilation force. The balloon dilation procedure was performed for each stricture model using three sizes of balloon: 10-11-12, 12-13.5-15, and 15-16.5-18 mm.

RESULTS

A positive association between inflation pressure and dilation force was observed for each balloon size. In balloons inflated by targeting the same diameter, the dilation force was higher for smaller balloons than for larger balloons. An inverse association between stricture size and dilation force was observed in the 12-13.5-15 mm balloon (3 vs 5 mm, P = .002; 5 vs 7 mm, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

We found relationships between inflation pressure, balloon size, severity of strictures, and dilation force. To perform safe and effective esophageal balloon dilation, the inflation pressure and balloon size should be selected after considering the stricture size and target diameter.