Balloon dilatation of strictured cervical anastomosis after subtotal esophagus resection

Aims: One of the most common complications of subtotal esophagus resection are the stricture of the cervical esophago-gastrostomy, the esophago-colostomy or the esophago-ileostomy. The authors analysed the causes of the stricture and the early results of their balloon dilatation therapy. Patients and methods: In a 5 year period after subtotal esophagus resection 26 patients (22 male, 4 female, mean age of 53.7 years) were treated 62 times with balloon dilatation of the cervical anastomosis. The strictures of the anastomoses that required investigation developed after esophago-gastrostomy in 20 patients, after es…