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Related Concept Videos

Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management01:26

Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management

Patients with esophageal strictures often experience a range of symptoms. Initially, they may have difficulty swallowing solid foods, which can progress to include liquids. Additional symptoms may involve chest pain or discomfort, regurgitating food and fluids, heartburn, unintentional weight loss, coughing or choking during meals, and hoarseness.
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction01:30

Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction

Esophageal strictures involve abnormal narrowing or tightening of the esophagus. They vary in length and severity, ranging from mild constriction to complete obstruction, and are classified as benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:21

Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management

Individuals with Barrett's esophagus are often asymptomatic, but they may experience symptoms commonly associated with GERD, such as heartburn and acid regurgitation. Additional symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, chest pain, unintentional weight loss, blood in the stool (which may appear black, tarry, or bloody), and episodes of vomiting.
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Endoscopic Procedures I: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy01:29

Endoscopic Procedures I: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

An Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a diagnostic procedure in which an endoscopist uses a flexible, lighted endoscope to visualize the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The procedure includes visualizing the oropharynx, esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine, the duodenum.
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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease II: Clinical Features and Management01:29

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease II: Clinical Features and Management

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a persistent medical condition that affects many individuals worldwide. Its clinical manifestations can vary greatly, making diagnosis and management challenging for healthcare professionals. The following is a comprehensive overview of the clinical manifestations, assessment, and management strategies for GERD.
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Esophageal Achalasia01:27

Esophageal Achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is a chronic neurogenic disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or ineffective peristalsis in the distal esophagus. This leads to a functional obstruction without a physical blockage, despite significant disruption of esophageal motility.EtiologyAchalasia is caused by degeneration of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus, specifically the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

ADSC-sheet Transplantation to Prevent Stricture after Extended Esophageal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
05:57

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Published on: February 10, 2017

Home self-dilatation for esophageal strictures.

J Zehetner1, S R DeMeester, S Ayazi

  • 1Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Diseases of the Esophagus : Official Journal of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus
|February 8, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Home self-dilatation offers an effective and safe treatment for refractory esophageal strictures. This approach, using Maloney dilators, avoids complications and is suitable for select patients.

Keywords:
bougieesophageal canceresophageal strictureself-dilatation

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Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Innovation
  • Patient Self-Management

Background:

  • Refractory esophageal strictures, often caused by caustic ingestion, radiation, or post-surgery, may not respond to traditional dilatations.
  • Home self-dilatation presents a potential alternative for managing these challenging strictures.
  • Patient selection is crucial for successful outcomes in self-managed therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of home self-dilatation for patients with refractory esophageal strictures.
  • To determine if self-dilatation can provide a viable treatment option for difficult-to-treat strictures.
  • To assess complication rates and patient tolerance associated with home self-dilatation.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective chart review identified 16 patients (1997-2009) who performed home self-dilatation for esophageal strictures.
  • Patients with proximal, non-tortuous strictures were selected and trained by healthcare professionals.
  • Maloney dilators were used, with patients self-administering treatment for a median of 16 weeks.

Main Results:

  • No perforations or complications were reported during home self-dilatation.
  • Patients had a median of four prior endoscopic dilatations before initiating self-dilatation.
  • Two patients experienced recurrence after cessation but responded to further endoscopic and self-dilatation.

Conclusions:

  • Home self-dilatation is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for refractory esophageal strictures, particularly in the cervical esophagus.
  • This method can prevent the need for stenting or repeated endoscopic interventions.
  • Home self-dilatation should be considered a primary treatment option for appropriate patients with refractory esophageal strictures.