Endoscopic treatment of scar stenosis in the upper GI tract

Short cicatricial stenoses following surgery of the upper gastrointestinal tract are difficult to treat and have a high recurrence rate. A method of eliminating stenoses endoscopically with the aid of diathermy is described. This method has, to date, been employed in 51 patients, and only a single serious complication has been observed. The procedure can thus be recommended, since reoperation with resection of the anastomosis is associated with a very high rate of complications. A new method of treating scar stenosis in the upper GI tract, which develops in particular after surgical anastomosis of the esophagus, is described, in 51 patients this method helped replace bougienage. This method obviates the need for life-long, unpleasant dilatation with the bougie in the mostly elderly patients.