Aims: To audit the success of endoscopic dilatation treatment for oesophageal stricture, to determine any predictive factors for multiple dilatations and to compare data with a previous series from the same department.
Methods: The endoscopy records of 121 consecutive patients with benign oesophageal strictures undergoing endoscopic dilatation were reviewed at Auckland Hospital from 1990 to 1994.
Results: Two hundred and thirty-eight procedures were performed with no recorded technical failures and minimal morbidity. The follow-up period from presentation ranged from 18 to 77 months (median 47 months) and the symptom-free period after the last dilatation ranged from 6 to 77 months (median 47 months). One hundred and nineteen patients had been followed for 12 months or more since their last dilatation. Sixty-three patients (52%) required only one dilatation, 44 (36%) patients required two to three dilatations and 14 (12%) patients required more than three dilatations. There was a trend for patients treated with omeprazole to require fewer dilatations than patients treated with H2-receptor antagonists (p = 0.07). Patients with tight strictures (< 11 mm) and Barrett's oesophagus required more dilatations.
Conclusions: Oesophageal dilatation for benign peptic strictures is a safe and effective procedure.