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A 57-year-old man with a history of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue treated with chemoradiation therapy presented to our group for management of a proximal esophageal stricture. Despite serial endoscopic dilations with submucosal steroid at outside facilities, the stricture progressed, ultimately obliterating luminal patency. Consequently, caloric intake was maintained through a percutaneous gastrostomy tube; however, the patient’s intolerance of secretions led to frequent aspiration (●" Fig.1). An antegrade-retrograde rendezvous technique of endoscopic therapy, first described by Van Twisk, was used to address the complex esophageal stricture [1]. A standard 9.8-mm gastroscope was passed per os in the antegrade position. A second endoscopist approached the esophageal stricture in a retrograde fashion with a slim 5.9-mm gastroscope through a wellhealed 20-F gastrostomy site. Transillumination and fluoroscopy were employed to assist with dissection trajectory and en face positioning of the antegrade and retrograde endoscopes prior to and throughout stricture manipulation (●" Fig.2). A straight endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) cannula was then positioned through the antegrade endoscope and blunt dissection of the stricture carried outwhile the retrograde endoscope visualized the resultant tissue convexity and guided appropriate trajectory (●" Fig.3a and●" Video 1). With the needle sheathed, a 19-gauge endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) needle was then used to complete the blunt dissection (●" Fig.3b). Only after visualizing the needle sheath from a retrograde perspective was the needle passed to stabilize the antegrade position (●" Fig.3c). Through this needle a long 0.035-inch hydrophilic guide wire was passed into the distal esophagus and stomach to allow for subsequent8-mmcontrolled radial expansion balloondilation anddeploymentof anasogastric tube for maintenance of patency during subsequent serial endoscopies (●" Fig.4). The patient was prophylactically admitted for overnight observation and discharged thenextdaywithout complication. Serial over-the-guide wire dilations to 15mm were carried out without issue. During each procedure contrast was infused to demonstrated patency without extravasation. With the assistance of speech/language physicians the patient now tolerates oral nutrition. We have presented an uncomplicated recanalization of an obliterated long esophageal stricture by blunt dissection assisted by endoscopic rendezvous. Sharp dissection was avoided given the increased risk of inadvertent needle passage into the mediastinum with injury to surrounding vital structures. While complex, such a technique represents a reasonably safe therapeutic option with great potential for quality of life improvement. Esophageal strictures develop in up to 4% of individuals receiving head and neck radiation of at least 4500cGy and upwards of 20% in those with concomitant use of chemotherapy [2]. While complete obliteration is rare, it is an appreciated entity

Successful blunt recanalization of an obliterated long esophageal stricture by endoscopic rendezvous