Comparison between Savary-Gilliard and balloon dilatation of benign esophageal strictures

The efficiency and safety of the 2 most commonly used endoscopic dilators, Savary-Gilliard and pressure balloons, were compared in 2 groups, each including 30 patients, with benign esophageal strictures. Four additional patients with tight and tortuous cervical esophageal strictures were initially managed by balloon dilatation followed by Savary-Gilliard dilatation. These patients could not be dilated by each of the methods alone. Sixty patients [35 males and 25 females with a mean age of 52 years (range, 4-91)] underwent 165 esophageal dilatations. The etiologies of strictures included reflux esophagitis (65%), caustic damage (18.3%), and postoperative (anastomotic, or post-Nissen operation) in 16.7%. Dysphagia improved in all patients; however, 2 patients (1 from each group) with hard postoperative anastomotic stricture eventually underwent surgical resection of stricture. There were no major complications or mortality related to the dilatations. Both methods were highly effective and well tolerated, yet Savary-Gilliard dilators were slightly more effective and simpler to use than balloons. Nevertheless, tortuous cervical strictures and multiple closely-placed strictures were more effectively managed by initial use of balloon followed by Savary dilators.