How to approach a patient with refractory or recurrent benign esophageal stricture

31 January 2019

In Gastroenterology Peter Siersema described the currently used treatment modalities for complex esophageal strictures, based on underlying cause and symptom duration, but also focusing on future treatment perspectives.

Benign esophageal strictures are frequently seen in clinical practice. Benign esophageal strictures are caused by a variety of esophageal disorders, including radiotherapy-induced and caustic injuries, eosinophilic esophagitis, and strictures after surgical resection for esophageal cancer. 
Most endoscopic resection esophageal strictures can be treated by endoscopic dilation, but a minority are found to be refractory or recurring after several dilation sessions. For these complex strictures, additional treatment modalities have become available, including endoscopic incisional therapy  and stent placement, which can be selected on the basis of symptom duration and underlying cause.
This article presents a stepwise algorithm for the clinical management of patients with benign esophageal strictures, including a rational use of currently available treatment modalities. 

Peter Siersema is member of theme Tumors of the digestive tract.

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