The present article reports our use of a balloon catheter for dilation of esophageal stricture in three cases of postoperative esophageal anastomotic stricture.
Case 1 was a patient with esophageal carcinoma who underwent esophagogastrostomy, followed by postoperative severe anastomotic stricture with axis deviation in which the length of the stricture was long, resulting in dilation by balloon catheter in combination with endoscopic laser incision. Case 2 was a patient with esophageal carcinoma who underwent esophagogastrostomy. A moderate ring-like stricture, in which the length of the stricture was short without axis deviation, occurred postoperatively, resulting in dilation by balloon catheter alone. Case 3 was a patient with carcinoma of the larynx who underwent total laryngectomy, followed by esophageal reconstruction by means of a skinroll. After surgery, anastomotic stricture occurred, resulting in dilation by balloon catheter in combination with mercury bougie.
Balloon catheter is safe and easy to insert and has the advantage of facilitating a definite setting in the area of the stricture. However, while it is difficult to bring about satisfactory dilation of severe cicatrricial stricture by balloon catheter alone, its combination with laser incision or other methods seems to yield more effective dilation. For light or moderate stricture, balloon catheter was the first choice and was thought to bring about satisfactory results.