Abstract
Background
Caustic injury remains the commonest cause of benign esophageal strictures in Asia. Others include gastroesophageal reflux, iatrogenic, radiation, autoimmune or idiopathic causes. Treatment goals are relief of dysphagia and prevention of recurrence. This study aims to evaluate the experience with benign esophageal stricture in Penang Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Northern region of Malaysia.
Methods
A retrospective review of 12 patients with benign esophageal strictures between year 2012 - 2017.
Results
The mean age was 53.5 and two thirds were female. Half of these patients were of Chinese ethnicity while the other half were Indian. The commonest cause was caustic ingestion (41.7%), followed by reflux stricture (25%) and anastomotic stricture (25%). There was one case of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. More than half of the patients had complex and multiple strictures. 41.7% of patients had proximal strictures that were located within 20cm from the incisors. Endoscopic dilatation was the first line treatment with either Savary Gilliard or balloon dilators. A total of 97 dilatation sessions were done with a mean dilatation frequency of 2.3 ± 1.5 times for anastomotic strictures, 8 ± 8.2 times for reflux strictures and 8.0 ± 6.6 times for corrosive strictures. The mean dilatation interval was 2.5 ± 1.2 weeks. 58.3% of patients had successful endoscopic treatment. The success rate was higher in non-corrosive stricture (83% vs 40%). There was one dilatation related complication in which the patient had pneumomediastinum without overt mediastinitis. This however, resolved with conservative management. 41.7% of patients had refractory strictures that failed endoscopic dilatation. Surgery including esophagectomy (40%), revision of anastomosis (20%) and gastrostomy (40%) were done for this group of patients. Proximal strictures, complex strictures and multiple strictures were associated with failed endoscopic dilatation (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Endoscopic dilatation is the first line treatment for benign esophageal strictures. Surgery is reserved for refractory strictures with failed endoscopic treatment. Predictor scoring systems for refractory stricture and individualized approaches are the key to success.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
