Factors Affecting the Response to Endoscopic Dilatation Therapy for Benign Esophageal Stricture

Background/Aims: Endoscopic dilatation is an effective therapy for benign esophageal stricture. We analyzed the factors related to the endoscopic dilatation therapy in patients with benign esophageal strictures such as etiology, grade of dysphagia, length of stricture and number of therapeutic sessions. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 63 patients who received endoscopic esophageal dilatation therapy due to benign esophageal strictures. Results: The grade of dysphagia number was associated with the length of strictures (p=0.012) and therapeutic session (p=0.005). There was a statistically significant correlation between the length of strictures and therapeutic session number (p=0.001). There was no statistical difference in grade of dysphagia or the length of stricture according to the cause of strictures of therapeutic sessions performed. In corrosive stricture, the higher grade of dysphagia, was associated with the in creased number (p=0.028). The length of stricture was longer (p=0.040) and the number of therapeutic sessions were increased (p=0.026) in corrosive stricture than other etiologies. Conclusions: Corrosive esophageal stricture shows long stricture segment and needs increased number of therapeutic session as compared to other etiologies. However, corrosive esophageal stricture can be effectively treated with careful technique and increased number of endoscopic dilatation sessions.