Dilatation of benign oesophageal strictures: 10 years' experience with Celestin dilators

Endoscopic dilatation is the first line of treatment for benign oesophageal strictures. There are limited data available on the use of Celestin dilators.

The efficacy and safety of Celestin dilators was evaluated retrospectively in 61 patients with benign oesophageal strictures. Three hundred and ninety-three dilatations using Celestin dilators were performed over a period of 10 years on an outpatient basis in patients with corrosive, peptic and other causes of benign oesophageal strictures.

Initial success was achieved in all patients in the peptic and miscellaneous group and in 91% in the corrosive group of patients. Patients with corrosive strictures required significantly more dilatations for initial success compared with the peptic group (mean 5.82 vs 1.62 P < 0.1). At 6 months follow up after the initial success, 29% of the patients had an excellent response, 56% a good response and 15% a fair response. No patient had a poor response. During the long-term follow up of 10 years, overall dilatation requirement decreased significantly. (72 vs 27 vs 14% of patients requiring dilatation at 1, 5 and 10 years P < 0.05). The dilatation requirement also decreased significantly within the groups (P < 0.05). Patients with corrosive stricture required more frequent dilatations on follow up compared with the other two groups. Complications in the form of oesophageal perforation occurred in only two patients. There was no mortality.

Oesophageal dilatation with Celestin dilators is an effective and safe modality for managing patients with benign oesophageal strictures.