Dilation of esophageal stenosis by balloon catheter.

Treatment of esophageal stenosis by large diameter balloon catheters offers significant advantages over bouginage. Catheter dilating force is confined to the affected segment and can be controlled by the patient's reaction. Perforation is practically excluded by the use of fluoroscopy, contrast media, flexible angiographic guidewires, and better control over the time and forces of dilation. Wider, more lasting dilation can be achieved. Forty-one dilations were done on 21 patients with this new procedure without complications and with improved relapse-free intervals.