Association of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease with Oesophageal Stricture: What can be Done to Prevent It

Objectives: GORD is associated with benign oesophageal stricture. Endoscopic management of which is safe, effective and commonly applied. The aim of this study is to assess the causes of benign oesophageal stricture,the outcome of endoscopic management and to explore the literatures on ways of preventions. Patients and Methods: Data from our endoscopy unit was reviewed using unisoft software. Seventy -one patients who have been diagnosed with oesophageal strictures during March 2006-January 2012,were selected for this study. Twelve oesophageal cancers, 4 patients with achalasia and 6 patients with anastomotic stricture were excluded. The data was collected from case notes of the remaining forty-nine patients. Results: Forty-nine patients were diagnosed with symptomatic benign stricture due to reflux disease and inflammation (47 and 2 patients respectively). The age range was 38-92 (mean 59), 17(34.7%) women and 32(65.3%) men were included. 42(85.71%) patients underwent dilatation, of which 88.7% had 1-4 dilatations (mean of 2 dilatations). The remaining 14.28% (6 patients) had very tight strictures and each had 5-7 dilatations. One (2.04%) patient had anti-reflux surgery. Six (12.24%) patients were treated conservatively using proton pump inhibitors and they didn’t need dilatation. There were 34 patients developed minor morbidities such as chest pain (11%); minor bleeding (15) and nausea (3%),no oesophageal perforation or other major complications were reported. Conclusions: Endoscopic dilatation for benign oesophageal stricture is a safe and an effective procedure. Follow up of younger patients are necessary to achieve satisfactory symptomatic relief and to prevent advanced and severe stricture developing at a later age.