Trans-endoscopic balloon dilatation of benign oesophageal strictures: a prospective study as an out-patient procedure.

Over an 18-month period 70 consecutive patients underwent 100 oesophageal balloon dilatations of their benign peptic strictures by the trans-endoscopic route. All procedures were performed as an out-patient under intravenous sedation. One patient developed respiratory depression from over-sedation. No other complications were seen in this series. The first 50 patients were reviewed by postal questionnaire. The majority (91%) of patients were swallowing normally and all patients except one were happy with the procedure and content to undergo further dilatation should it prove necessary. A cost analysis was performed comparing balloon dilatation with conventional bougienage which is also practised at our hospital. Balloon dilatation as an out-patient procedure is a more cost-effective technique when compared to bougienage and has the potential of saving the health service many thousands of pounds per annum.