Endoscopic treatment of anastomotic strictures in Crohn's disease.

The results of endoscopic balloon dilatation in 27 patients with anastomotic strictures caused by Crohn's disease are reported. All patients had obstructive symptoms not responding to corticosteroids and of such a degree that resection or strictureplasty was considered necessary. The patients were followed up for 7 to 38 months after their first dilatation. Eighteen patients were more or less free from obstructive symptoms while the results were less favourable in the remaining nine patients. The median time after the latest surgical intervention was seven years in the group with a successful outcome and 1.6 years in the group with a poor outcome, which may indicate that some patients have a more aggressive form of Crohn's disease where balloon dilatation is only of moderate value. However, all patients experienced at least a temporary effect, so that balloon dilatation can be considered for use in situations where it is desirable to postpone surgery.