Endoscopic Treatment of Luminal Anastomotic Strictures

Review of the use of intralesional steroid injections in the management of ileocolonic Crohn's strictures

Most patients with Crohn's disease present with either terminal ileal or colonic disease, with 70% requiring surgery by 10 years after diagnosis. Recurrent stricturing at the anastomotic site is common, often symptomatic and can require re-operation with its inherent risks. Balloon dilation has been shown to provide good symptom relief from such strictures. However, repeat dilations may be required, and further surgical intervention to an anastomotic stricture is needed in up to 30% of cases. Injection of corticosteroids has been suggested as an adjunct to dilation in order to improve outcomes. This paper reviews the current literature on the use of intralesional steroid injections following endoscopic balloon dilation of anastomotic and de novo Crohn's strictures. There have been only two randomised placebo controlled trials and five small non-controlled or retrospective studies. Study numbers vary from 10 to 29 patients. The two randomised trials conflict in their conclusions and numbers are small in these studies. Currently therefore, no firm support can be given to the routine use of intralesional steroid injections.

Surgical approach to cervical esophagogastric anastomoses for post-esophagectomy complications

In gastric tube reconstruction, anastomotic leakage and stricture occasionally occur. Additionally, new or recurrent cancer may occur in the esophageal remnant or at the anastomotic site. Such complications, after cervical anastomoses, led to our adoption of a procedure to approach the anastomosis by manubrium and proximal left clavicle resection. This procedure was applied to seven patients between April 2000 and March 2011. The mean age of the patients was 69.9 years (range, 65-76 years); all were men. The mean operative time was 506 min (range, 374-845 min), with an average blood loss of 297 ml (range, 180-606 ml). Esophagogastric anastomoses were performed in two cases, and free jejunal graft transplantations were performed in the remaining five cases; oral intake became possible for all patients. Limited range of motion or other movement disorders of the neck and upper limbs, due to the upper sternum and clavicle resection, were not observed. This invasive surgical procedure can be acceptable for patients who are facing life-threatening consequences or significant decreases in quality of life and are resistant to conservative treatment.

Minimization of risks of esophageal dilation

Esophageal dilation, along with many other therapeutic endoscopic procedures, carries with it an increased risk of complications, most of which are transient events but some of which may be catastrophic. The author reviews the literature concerning the major and minor complications that one will encounter in a busy and aggressive gastrointestinal endoscopic practice. There are scant prospective data concerning risk minimization and most studies are retrospective case series. Careful identification of groups of patients who have risk factors that may increase the potential for an adverse event is worthwhile and is reviewed. The current literature is discussed and suggestions to provide guidance and pearls in helping to avoiding and diagnosing major complications are given.