AIM:To determine the most effective intervention procedureby evaluation of mid and long-term therapeutic efficacy inpatients of stricture of the gastrointestinal tract (GTT).METHODS:Different intervention procedures were usedto treat benign stricture of GIT in 180 patients includingpneumatic dilation (group A,n=80),permanent (group B,n=25) and temporary (group C,n=75) placement ofexpandable metallic stents.RESULTS:The diameters of the strictured GIT weresignificantly greater after the treatment of all proceduresemployed (P<0.01).For the 80 patients in group A,160dilations were performed (mean,2.0 times per patient).Complications in group A included chest pain (n=20),reflux(n=16),and bleeding (n=6).Dysphagia relapse occurred in24(30%) and 48 (60%) patients respectively during 6-and-12 momth follow-up periods in group A.In group B,25uncovered or partially covered or antireflux coveredexpandable metallic stents were placed permantly,complications included chest pain (n=10),reflux (n=15),bleeding (n=3),and stent migration (n=4),and dysphagiarelapse occurred in 5 (20%) and 3 patients (25%) duringthe 6-and-12 month follow-up periods,respectively.In groupC,the partially covered expandable metallic stents weretemporarily placed in 75 patients and removed after 3 to 7days via gastroscope,complications including chest pain(n=30),reflux (n=9),and bleeding (n=12),and dysphagiarelapse occurred in 9 (12%) and 8 patients (16%) duringthe 6-and-12 month follow-up periods,respectively.Theplacement and withdrawal of stents were all successfullyperformed.The follow-up of all patients lasted for 6 to 96months (mean 45.3±18.6 months).CONCLUSION:The effective procedures for benign GITstricture are pneumatic dilation and temporary placementof partially-covered expandable metallic stents.Temporaryplacement of partially-covered expandable metallic stentsis one of the best methods for benign GIT strictures in midand long-term therapeutic efficacy.
