Hydrostatic balloon dilation of gastrointestinal stenoses: a national survey

Hydrostatic balloon dilation is being increasingly used for gastrointestinal stenoses, but few data are available regarding efficacy or side effects. A survey sent to 3000 A/S/G/E members showed that 22% of responding endoscopists used the balloon method. Data available on 1538 patients revealed an overall technical success rate for balloon dilation of 85%. Immediate symptomatic relief of obstructive symptoms was 85% for the esophagus, 76% for the stomach, 56% for the colon, 89% for the bile duct, and 67% for the pancreatic duct. Objective improvement at 3 months fell, respectively to 39%, 38%, 72%, 60%, and 62%. Six percent of total procedures were associated with complications, and these complications could not definitely be correlated with balloon size. Although the present survey defines current usage patterns, prospective studies over a long follow-up period are needed to define the place that hydrostatic balloons should play in the treatment of gastrointestinal stenoses.