Oesophageal strictures: new indication for intra-aortic balloon pumps?

Oesophageal strictures regardless of aetiology are a difficult and challenging problem facing the oesophageal surgeon. Various methods and techniques have been described and are routinely used in clinical practice with varying rates of efficacy and complications. We describe here a novel graded atraumatic technique for the management of oesophageal strictures using intra-aortic balloon pumps.