Endoscopic bougienage of benign anastomotic strictures in patients after esophageal resection: the effect of the extent of stricture on bougienage results

SUMMARY.  The aim of our retrospective study was to determine the incidence of benign anastomotic strictures (BAS) in patients after esophageal resection and to examine the influence of the extent of BAS on the results of bougienage therapy. From January 2001 to July 2006, 79 patients at risk of BAS development were included in the study. BAS was diagnosed with a median delay of 8 weeks (4–26) postoperative in 23 patients (29%). A median of 4 bougienage sessions (2–20) was needed for success (success rate 100%). The mean follow‐up time was 22 months [range 3–47]. There were no late recurrences of BAS. Five patients had an anastomosis diameter <5.5 mm and 14 patients >5.5 mm. There was no difference in median number of bougienage procedures in these subgroups (4.5 [2–9] vs. 4 [2–20]). Patients who presented with BAS earlier than 6 weeks postoperative had more procedures (median 8 [2–20] vs. 4 [2–9]) than those presenting later. Patients in whom first bougienage was possible to only 16 mm diameter needed more procedures than patients in whom first dilation was possible to more than 16 mm (median 5.5 [3–20] vs. 3 [2–9]). In conclusion, both early BAS development and the diameter of bougienage at first endoscopy, but not the extent of stricture, seem to be predictive factors for longer bougienage therapy. In order to influence the BAS formation early, we now routinely examine every patient after esophageal resection endoscopically in the 6th postoperative week.