The therapeutic dilatation of enteric strictures due to Crohn's disease.

The use of dilatation as a treatment of strictures due to Crohn's disease has hitherto received little attention. We report dilatation of small and large bowel strictures in twelve patients with Crohn's disease. The technique appears to be safe when carried out either endoscopically or as part of a laparotomy. Short term follow-up suggests that the technique may have a part to play in the treatment of suitable strictures that can be reached endoscopically but early restenosis limits its value at laparotomy when strictureplasty may provide a more lasting relief of the stenosis.