Fluoroscopically Guided Balloon Dilation or Temporary Stent Placement for Patients With Gastric Conduit Strictures After Esophagectomy With Esophagogastrostomy

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of patients with gastric conduit strictures after esophagectomy and to report our initial experience in the management of these strictures with fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation, temporary stent placement, or both. MATERIALS AND METHODS. From January 1996 to January 2012, 12 patients with gastric conduit stricture after esophagectomy underwent fluoroscopic balloon dilation, temporary stent placement, or both. Stent placement was indicated in patients who had gastro-respiratory fistulas or recurrent symptoms within 2 weeks of balloon dilation. Technical and clinical success, complications, and length of strictures were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS. The mean length of strictures in all patients was 49 mm (range, 21–76 mm). The strictures were accompanied by gastrorespiratory fistulas in four patients. Seven patients with gastric conduit strictures without fistulas underwent 23 balloon dilations. Five patients underwent s...