[Long-term bougienage treatment of corrosive strictures of the esophagus]

The value of long term bougienage of corrosive esophageal strictures is analysed in 21 patients. 67 bougienages have been performed with a 7.4 percent risk of perforation (5 cases), 4 patients whose symptoms were refractory to bougienage underwent operative therapy. Esophageal cancer developed in 2 patients and was operated in one of them. 70 percent of the 14 patients, who are still in the bougienage program report a good quality of life. We believe bougienage therapy of chronic corrosive esophageal strictures to be the method of choice in patients with high operative risk and satisfying response to the dilatations.