[Dilatation of benign colo-colonic and colo-rectal anastomotic stenosis with radiology-guided balloon catheter].

Eleven patients with benign postoperative colonic strictures were treated with balloon dilatation November, 1990, through November, 1995. The anastomosis was sigmoidrectal in 7 patients and colocolic in 4 patients. All patients were submitted to contrast enema and colonscopy to assess the site, shape, grade and length of the stenosis. Biopsy was performed in 7 patients whose strictures had developed 2 months or more postoperatively. The dilatation was performed with 20-mm balloon catheters in the strictures developed 30 days postoperatively, to avoid any complications, and with 30-mm balloon catheters in the other cases. Balloon dilatation was performed under fluoroscopic guidance, with no-drug treatment. The procedure was well tolerated by all patients. One or two dilatation sessions were performed in ten and one patients, respectively. No complications were observed. The results were satisfactory in all cases, with symptom resolution. Follow-up included clinical, endoscopic and radiologic assessment. At follow-up, the technical result was good in all patients and the symptoms were completely relieved. In our experience, radiologically-guided balloon catheter dilatation proved to be an easy, safe and effective tool to treat benign postoperative colonic strictures.