Wire-guided balloon coloplasty--a new treatment for colorectal strictures?

A new technique for dilatation of colorectal anastomotic strictures--wire-guided balloon coloplasty--is described. It is suitable for high strictures, may be performed without general anaesthetic and is repeatable. It does not require endoscopy and may be used to relieve obstructive symptoms in both benign and malignant strictures so avoiding the need for a defunctioning colostomy.