Endoscopic balloon dilation has been used as a first treatment modality for the treatment of benign colorectal strictures. However, varying results have been reported with regard to the success rate of this procedure.1,2 Despite its simplicity and immediate efficacy in up to 80% of cases, this technique requires several treatment sessions and is associated with a significant rate of recurrent benign stenosis. Predictors of a successful outcome include: a relatively narrow stenosis (<10 mm), a short segment stricture (<4 cm), and anastomotic strictures. Poor predictors include: numerous strictures, complete obstruction, associated fistulas within the stricture, active inflammation around the stricture, recent surgery, a tight angulation, and malignancy.3

Balloons usually exert a radial vector force against the strictured tissue, and these often require sequential dilation using a larger balloon over two to three endoscopic sessions in order to achieve long-term success. However, this may not be determined until the results of the first dilation are known. Immediate relief of symptoms has been reported in 77% of patients and long-term relief in 44% of patients.4

Fifty-five patients with Crohn symptomatic strictures were studied. Endoscopic treatment was successful in 76% and surgery was required in 2%. The long-term success of endoscopic balloon dilation was reported to depend on the type of strictures, their location, and their length. Failure of endoscopic treatment was observed in long-segment strictures in the terminal ileum.5 In one study, 55 patients with ileocolonic strictures secondary to Crohn disease underwent 78 balloon dilations. Dilatation resulted in complete relief of obstructive symptoms in 34 patients after one or repetitive dilatations. Total long-term success rate was 62%. Complications of peritoneal perforation occurred in six patients. However, four of these patients showed improvement with administration of intravenous fluid and antibiotics.6

Balloon dilatation is more useful in patients with anastomotic strictures. In one study, endoscopic dilatation in 94 patients with postoperative anastomotic stenosis was successful in 59% of patients who underwent resection for cancer and in 88% who underwent resection for a benign condition. Complications occurred in 17 patients (benign restenosis, perforation, abscess). High success and low risk rates make endoscopic balloon dilatation the treatment of choice to avoid high risk of reoperation in patient with benign anstomoticstrictures.2

Placement of a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) has been suggested as one of therapeutic modalities for the relief of benign colorectal strictures.7 Unlike uncovered stents, fully covered SEMS has several advantages in the management of benign strictures. These fully covered SEMS have limited local tissue reaction; thus, they are used in benign conditions such as colonic strictures, fistulas, perforation, and leaks in the digestive tract.8,9

Permanent insertion of SEMS is also associated with a significant and unacceptable rate of complications, such as new stricture formation and perforation. Only a few studies have reported on the usefulness of fully covered SEMS in patients with benign colorectal strictures. One recent study, which included 43 patients with symptomatic strictures, reported on the effectiveness of fully covered SEMS in the management of benign colorectal strictures. All patients with strictures during a 6-year study period were included. The efficacy of the stent, technical success, stent retrieval, safety, and recurrence of symptoms were evaluated during the follow-up. SEMS insertion was successful in all patients. Clinical success was obtained in 81% and migration was observed in 63%. The mean duration of stents was 21 days. Recurrence of obstructive symptoms was observed in 53%, irrespective of migration. The authors insisted that fully covered SEMS is safe and effective for treatment of symptomatic benign strictures, despite a high rate of spontaneous migration.10 Although this study could not define the predictive risk factors for clinical success or recurrence, refractory patients who underwent several balloon dilation sessions were successfully managed. Conduct of future studies will be needed in order to define the best treatment option, such as balloon dilation vs. early fully covered SEMS insertion.

Biodegradable stents have recently been developed for use in the management of refractory benign esophageal strictures. The poly-L-lactic based stent and polydiosanone based stent were mainly used for refractory benign esophageal strictures. In particular, a polydiosanone stent is a semicrystalline, biodegradable polymer, which degrades by random hydrolysis and at low pH. None of the degradation products is harmful. The prolonged dilatory effect before stent absorption and the progressive stent degradation could represent a favorable solution for patients with benign strictures refractory to standard dilation therapy compared with self-expandable metal and plastic stents for esophageal strictures.11,12 Currently, use of biodegradable stents in the management of colorectal refractory benign strictures, same as benign esophageal strictures, has been attempted. Treatment of 10 patients with postsurgical colorectal strictures (n=7) and fistula (n=3) with biodegradable polydiosanone stents was an effective alternative in short to medium terms. The fistulas were successfully closed in all patients. Among the six patients who received stents for strictures, symptoms resolved in five; in the remaining patients, the stent migrated shortly after the endoscopy. If biodegradable stents are to be used for the treatment of strictures and fistulas, the proximity of the stricture should be close to the anus because of the inflexibility, and the need to fix stents in the colon was important.13 In another study, 11 patients with postsurgical benign strictures located within 20 cm from the anal verge, refractory to mechanical or pneumatic dilation (at least three sessions) were included. Five of them had complete resolution of the stricture and relief of symptoms. Two of 11 patients required surgical treatment during the follow-up period. The overall success rate of the biodegradable stent was 45%.14 Treatment using biodegradable stents in the management of refractory anastomotic colorectal stricture is very safe. They concluded that, instead of a nondedicated biodegradable stent which carried a high migration risk, dedicated stents with a large diameter and antimigration findings could improve the outcome of patients with refractory benign colorectal stricture.