Endoscopic balloon dilatation of peptic pyloroduodenal strictures.

A through-the-scope endoscopic balloon dilatation technique and acid-reducing medication was used in 46 consecutive patients (median age, 55; range, 21-88 years) with benign gastric outlet obstruction. In five patients, dilatation was not technically possible. In 41 patients, 122 dilatations (median, 2; range, 1-9 per patient) were performed without morbidity. Ninety-four procedures were successful (77%) at the initial attempt (able to pass a 12-mm endoscope into the duodenum at the end of the procedure). Median follow-up in the 41 patients was 19 (range, 1-78) months. Thirteen patients (32%) required subsequent surgery; 8 had delayed operation for persistent symptoms (1-28 months after the first dilatation), 1 had surgery during the initial hospital admission, and 4 required emergency surgery for other ulcer complications (3 perforation, 1 bleeding). Of the 28 patients who had only balloon dilatation and medical therapy, 11 are asymptomatic (4 with active ulceration), 9 have mild symptoms (Visick 2), and 3 have persistent symptoms (Visick 3). One patient was lost to follow-up and four patients have died (one from an ulcer-related complication). Balloon dilatation and sustained acid-reducing therapy with regular endoscopic surveillance should be first-line treatment of peptic pyloroduodenal strictures, because the procedure is safe and is likely to be successful in half of the patients in whom dilatation is technically possible.