Abstract
The results of endoscopic balloon dilatation in 27 patients with anastomotic strictures
caused by Crohn's disease are reported. All patients had obstructive symptoms not
responding to corticosteroids and of such a degree that resection or strictureplasty
was considered necessary. The patients were followed up for 7 to 38 months after their
first dilatation. Eighteen patients were more or less free from obstructive symptoms
while the results were less favourable in the remaining nine patients. The median
time after the latest surgical intervention was seven years in the group with a successful
outcome and 1.6 years in the group with a poor outcome, which may indicate that some
patients have a more aggressive form of Crohn's disease where balloon dilatation is
only of moderate value. However, all patients experienced at least a temporary effect,
so that balloon dilatation can be considered for use in situations where it is desirable
to postpone surgery.
