[Experience with dilatation of tight esophageal stenoses using a balloon catheter]

The dilatation of oesophageal stenoses with balloon catheters was made in 38 patients with 44 stenoses of different origin. The most frequent stenosis was localized in oesophagogastric or oesophagocolic anastomosis after oesophagectomy, postcorrosive stenoses an those after reflux oesophagitis. The stenoses were mostly of filiform type, the diameter being 1-3 mm (79%) less frequently 4-7 mm (21%). It became possible to dilate 37 stenoses up to 10 to 20 mm, four stenoses to 22 mm. In only three cases the stenosis was dilated to less than 10 mm. In six patients it proved necessary to repeat the dilatation within one to six-month intervals. The dilatation failed to give positive in one case.