The endoscopic management of esophageal strictures.

Endoscopic dilation for symptomatic esophageal strictures is an effective and easily performed procedure in the palliation of benign as well as malignant esophageal strictures. This article describes the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of esophageal dilators as well as the techniques used in dilation. Precautions, complications, long-term outcome, and the special circumstances related to difficult dilations also are discussed.