Balloon dilatation of benign esophageal stenoses.

The traditional nonoperative management of benign esophageal stenoses has been bougienage; recently, balloon dilatation has become available. Balloon dilatation can be accomplished with balloons that are passed over a guide-wire or with balloons that are passed through the working channel of an endoscope. In the present paper, the methodologies for the use of these two types of balloons are described and the literature reviewed. Balloon dilatation appears to be an efficacious and a safe alternative to bougies.