Esophageal dilatation after surgical resection.

Strictures of the esophagus following surgical resection present uncommonly. Reports are few describing the occurrence and management of this entity especially in the contemporary literature. In general a postoperative stricture is approached in the same manner as any other type of esophageal stricture, i.e., by clinical, radiographic and endoscopic evaluation. In particular, the stricture is carefully examined endoscopically, appropriate biopsies and/or cytology obtained and dilation carried out. Methods of dilating these strictures include those techniques most commonly used and especially the method which is most familiar and comfortable for the endoscopist. Standard Eder-Puestow bougies, Maloney and Hurst dilators and Savary-Gilliard bougies exert forces along a longitudinal axis which may be more uncomfortable for the patient and associated with higher morbidity than balloon dilators, which exert forces along a radial axis. Dilatation of post-surgical esophageal strictures is performed as safely as possible with minimal discomfort to the patient and should provide long-term results requiring infrequent interventions.