Endoscopic incision as an alternative to bougienage in the treatment of peptic esophageal stricture.

With the aim of suggesting incision of peptic esophageal strictures, as an alternative to bougienage, we report the results of the first 20 patients so treated. We included as candidates for this treatment all those patients with moderate or severe dysphagia in whom a stricture of the distal esophagus was confirmed on esophagoscopy that could not be negotiated despite continuous and vigorous pressure with the tip of the fiberscope. On the basis of radiological films, the minimum diameter of the stenotic ring (+/- SD) was 4.4 +/- 2.2 mm, increasing up to 10.05 +/- 1.5 mm once the endoscopic procedure was made. Dysphagia was initially relieved in all the cases. Four patients had recurrence within a few days after the incision. Later, another 4 patients had recurrence. Finally, a further 4 cases were lost by non-compliance. The remaining 8 patients who underwent a 6-months' follow-up did not show a later tendency to re-stenosis. In total, 5 patients were surgically treated for hiatal hernia. One case of emphysema in the mediastinum was noted and treated conservatively. We conclude that endoscopic incision is an alternative to esophageal dilatation as initial treatment for peptic esophageal stricture, despite the fact that a significant number of patients will require additional surgical correction for gastro-esophageal reflux.