[Treatment of stenoses of the gastrointestinal tract]

Flexible endoscopy seems to become the standard method for diagnosis and therapy of stenoses in the gastrointestinal tract. For dilatation of the lumen different methods for bougienage and different types of balloons can be used. For ablation of tissues the Nd:YAG-Laser and conventional high-frequency surgical methods are complemented by the newly developed Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC). The characteristics of APC ideally meet the requirements of an endoscopic tool. The plastic tubes used for bridging stenoses become gradually replaced by the new self-expanding metal prostheses, which have a lower rate of complications and give the patients more quality of life. The problem of tumor ingrowth however ist not yet solved conclusively. Endoscopic methods for decompression can avoid the emergency operation of colonic obstruction. It is important to be aware of the possibility to combine all these methods primarily or secondary to get best results and to minimize risks. To offer an optimal treatment for gastrointestinal stenoses it is necessary to provide the whole armamentum of interventional endoscopy including synchronous fluoroscopy.