Long-term outcome of endoscopic dilation of nonmalignant pyloric stenosis.

Although the immediate success of endoscopic balloon dilation of nonmalignant and noncongenital pyloric stenosis is known, little information is available on the long-term results of such therapy. Of 19 patients who underwent this treatment at our institution for gastric outlet obstruction, 3 (16%) experienced sustained relief and 16 (84%) had a recurrence of symptoms during a median follow-up period of 45 months. Twelve of the patients who had a recurrence of gastric outlet obstructive symptoms required further therapy. Our results suggest that if followed for a prolonged period of time, patients who have undergone endoscopic balloon dilation of nonmalignant pyloric stenosis have a high recurrence rate of symptomatic gastric outlet obstruction.