[Percutaneous balloon-catheter dilatation of benign strictures of the bile ducts].

Two cases of patients with benign biliary strictures (one with anastomotic and another with iatrogen stenosis of the common bile duct) successfully treated by percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilatation are presented. The patients have been symptom-free for 24 and 14 months, respectively. The author deals with the indication of the procedure including all the benign stenoses where surgical reconstruction is not feasible. It is also emphasized that the balloon dilatation needs rather long-time manipulation during which both the patient and the personnel are exposed to significant amount of scattered radiation. One of the important factors in decreasing the need for manipulation is the availability of adequate devices (a series of high pressure balloon catheters).