Hydrostatic balloon dilatation of benign colonic anastomotic strictures.

From 1985 to 1990, 25 patients with benign colorectal anastomotic strictures were treated. The majority of the patients presented with decreasing stool caliber and abdominal cramps. Most of the strictures were secondary to anastomosis utilizing the EEA stapling device (United States Surgical Corp., Norwalk, CT) for malignant neoplasm. Under IV sedation, strictures were dilated endoscopically with the TTS balloon (Microvasive). No complications were encountered in this series. Hydrostatic balloon dilatation is a safe and effective modality for treatment of anastomotic strictures.