Esophageal stricture
ICD-10 K22.2 · ICD-11 DA20.0.2

Treatment of Esophageal Stricture When Repeated Endoscopic Dilation Remains a Long-Term Burden

For patients with esophageal stricture who face frequent or ongoing dilation sessions, certain alternative interventional techniques may reduce the need for repeated clinic-based endoscopy and provide more durable relief.

This protocol covers the use of less conventional techniques for esophageal stricture — specifically approaches suited to patients in whom standard repeated dilation continues to be required over the long term.

Treatment approach: Management may include an endoscopic incisional technique applied directly to the stricture, or — in carefully selected patients with benign disease — a home-based dilation approach that can substantially reduce the frequency of sedation and formal endoscopy. The full protocol specifies indication criteria, technique selection, and the complete clinical pathway.

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References

DOI: 10.1016/j.giec.2025.02.002

  • Other modalities that are less frequently used for stricture dilation include stricturotomy, ablation, and self-dilation.
  • For such patients with benign strictures, self-dilation with a bougie at home can be considered, which eliminates the need for sedation and numerous endoscopies.
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