Endoscopy 2002; 34(5): 399-401
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-25293
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Endoscopic Treatment of Benign Anastomotic Esophageal Stenosis with Electrocautery

G.  Brandimarte 1 , A.  Tursi 2
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Cristo Re Hospital, Rome, Italy
  • 2Emergency Department, L. Bonomo Hospital, Andria (BA), Italy
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

30 April 2001

20 November 2001

Publikationsdatum:
22. April 2002 (online)

Background and Study Aims: Stricture of the esophagus following surgical resection is uncommon. Several methods have been described for treatment of this entity, but the therapeutic success may be impaired either by poor long-term results or by poor acceptance by patients. Even the high cost of the therapeutic management may represent a problem. We describe the use of electrocautery to treat benign anastomotic esophageal stenosis.
Patients and Methods: Six unselected consecutive patients (four men, two women; mean age 68.3, range 54 - 82) with stenosis following esophagojejunostomy were enrolled in this trial. Postoperative stenoses were shown endoscopically (four patients) or radiographically (two patients). We performed endoscopic dilation of the strictures using electrocautery.
Results: In all patients we obtained dilation of the strictures, without any immediate or delayed procedure-related complication. No recurrence of the stenosis was demonstrated during a mean 24-month follow-up (range 8 - 33 months).
Conclusions: This study showed that endoscopic electrocautery is a safe and effective treatment for benign anastomotic esophageal stenosis.

References

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A. Tursi, M.D.

L. Bonomo Hospital

Galleria Pisani, 4 · 70031 Andria (BA) · Italy

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eMail: antotursi@tiscalinet.it