Abstract

Background Endoscopic dilatation of Crohn's disease-related strictures is an alternative to surgical resection in selected patients. The influence of disease activity and concomitant medical therapy on long-term outcomes is largely unknown.

Aim and methods To study the long-term safety and efficacy of stricture dilatation in a single centre cohort.

Results Between 1995 and 2006, 237 dilatations where performed in 138 patients (mean age 50.6±13.4, 56% female) for a clinically obstructive stricture (<5 cm, 84% anastomotic). Immediate success of a first dilatation was 97% with a 5% serious complication rate. After a median follow-up of 5.8 years (IQR 3.0–8.4), recurrent obstructive symptoms led to a new dilatation in 46% or surgery in 24%. Niether elevated levels of C-reactive protein nor endoscopic disease activity predicted the need for new intervention. None of the concomitant therapies influenced the outcome.

Conclusion This largest series ever reported confirms that long term efficacy of endoscopic dilatation of Crohn's disease outweighs the complication risk. Neither active disease at the time of dilatation nor medical therapy afterwards predict recurrent dilatation or surgery.