Intralesional steroid is beneficial in benign refractory esophageal strictures: A meta-analysis

The endoscopic management of oesophageal strictures

An oesophageal stricture refers to a narrowing of the oesophageal lumen, which may be benign or malignant. The cardinal feature is dysphagia, and this may result from intrinsic oesophageal disease or extrinsic compression. Oesophageal strictures can be further classified as simple or complex depending on stricture length, location, diameter, and underlying aetiology. Many endoscopic options are now available for treating oesophageal strictures including dilatation, injectional therapy, stenting, stricturotomy, and ablation. Self-expanding metal stents have revolutionised the palliation of malignant dysphagia, but oesophageal dilatation with balloon or bougienage remains first-line therapy for most benign strictures. The increase in endoscopic and surgical interventions on the oesophagus has seen more benign refractory oesophageal strictures that are difficult to treat, and often require advanced endoscopic techniques. In this review, we provide a practical overview on the evidence-based management of both benign and malignant oesophageal strictures, including a practical algorithm for managing benign refractory strictures.

Progress in the treatment and prevention of esophageal stenosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection

The primary treatment for early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions is endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, this approach leads to a high incidence of postoperative esophageal stenosis, which can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. While various methods are available to prevent post-ESD esophageal stenosis, their effectiveness varies. Therefore, this study aims to provide an overview of the currently employed methods for preventing post-ESD esophageal stenosis in clinical practice in view of assisting clinical practitioners.

Endoscopic radial incision versus endoscopic balloon dilation as initial treatments of benign esophageal anastomotic stricture

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic radial incision (ERI) versus endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) treatment of naïve, recurrent, and refractory benign esophageal anastomotic strictures.

METHODS

One hundred and one ERI, 145 EBD, and 42 ERI combined with EBD sessions were performed in 136 consecutive patients with benign esophageal anastomotic stricture after esophagectomy at Zhongshan Hospital from January 2016 to August 2021. Baseline characteristics, operational procedures, and clinical outcomes data were retrospectively evaluated. Parameters and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared between ERI and EBD in patients with naïve or recurrent or refractory strictures. Risk factors for re-stricture after ERI were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine ERI versus 68 EBD sessions were performed for naïve stricture, 26 ERI versus 60 EBD for recurrent strictures, and 46 ERI versus 17 EBD for refractory stricture. With comparable baseline characteristics, RFS was greater in the ERI than the EBD group for naïve strictures (P = 0.0449). The ERI group had a lower 12-month re-stricture rate than the EBD group (37.9% vs 61.8%, P = 0.0309) and a more prolonged patency time (181.5 ± 263.1 vs 74.5 ± 82.0, P = 0.0233). Between the two interventions, recurrent and refractory strictures had similar RFS (P = 0.0598; P = 0.7668). Multivariate analysis revealed initial ERI treatment was an independent predictive factor for lower re-stricture risk after ERI intervention (odds ratio = 0.047, P = 0.001). Few adverse events were observed after ERI or EBD (3.0% vs 2.1%, P = 0.6918).

CONCLUSIONS

ERI is associated with lower re-stricture rates with better patency and RFS compared with EBD for naive strictures.

Perforations from Endoscopic Dilation of Corrosive Strictures in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic dilation is an important therapeutic option for treatment of corrosive strictures. Its safety is unclear with variable perforation rates in previous studies. We aimed to evaluate its safety with regard to perforations and the effect of dilator type to perforation risk.

METHODS

A systematic review of published literature from inception to April 24, 2021, using PubMed and EMBASE databases was conducted. Studies in adult subjects (mean age ≥ 18 years) reporting perforation rates of endoscopic dilation of corrosive esophageal and/or gastric strictures were included. Pooled cumulative perforation rates were computed as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included, perforation with each dilator subtypes, surgical or conservative modes of management and mortality. Random effect meta-analysis was used to estimate the frequency of each of these outcomes. Variables were reported as percentages with 95% CI.

RESULTS

A total of 712 subjects (N) who underwent 4840 dilations (n) were noted in the 15 studies that were included. Of which, eight were retrospective, while the remaining seven were prospective. On meta-analysis, the cumulative pooled perforation rate was 1% (1-2%) of the number of dilations (n%). The perforation rates with SG (1%, 0-3%) and balloon (1%, 0-5%) dilators were similar (p value < 0.01). 45/64 (59%, 11-94%) perforations were subjected to surgery while the remaining 14/64 (41%, 6-89%) was managed conservatively. Choice of management strategy was biased to the norms of the treating team. About 3/712 patients (0%, 0-2%) succumbed following perforation.

CONCLUSION

Perforation from endoscopic dilation of corrosive strictures occurs rarely, and there is no significant difference in perforation risk related to the type of dilator.

Endoscopic Management of Luminal Strictures: Beyond Dilation

Luminal strictures can occur as part of many different gastrointestinal (GI) disorders anywhere along the GI tract and affect all age groups. The end goal of managing any stricture is to re-establish an adequate and durable luminal patency that is sufficient to resolve the presenting clinical symptoms. Treatment options can be generally categorized into medical, endoscopic, and surgical. However, within each of these categories, multiple different options are available. Therefore, choosing the best treatment modality is often challenging and depends on multiple factors including the type, location, and complexity of the stricture, as well as the preference of the treating physician. In this article, we will review the most current literature regarding foregut strictures, particularly esophageal and gastric, beyond dilation.

Intralesional steroids and endoscopic dilation for anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Post-esophagectomy anastomotic strictures are difficult to treat. The impact of adding local steroid injection to endoscopic dilation for the treatment of post-esophagectomy anastomotic strictures is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of performing steroid injection in addition to dilation.

METHODS

A search was conducted in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science from inception to January 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of endoscopic dilation plus either local steroid injection (steroid group) or saline injection (placebo group) were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

Three RCTs were eligible for the final analysis: 72 patients (mean age 61.3 years, 74 % male) in the steroid group and 72 patients (mean age 59.6 years, 71 % male) in the placebo group. The mean number of dilations required to resolve the stricture was significantly lower in the steroid group compared with the placebo group, with a mean weighted difference of -1.62 (95 % confidence interval [CI] -2.73 to -0.50; P = 0.004). After 6 months of follow-up, there was a trend toward more patients in the steroid group remaining dysphagia free compared with the placebo group, with a pooled odds ratio of 2.36 (95 %CI 0.94 to 5.91; P = 0.07, I2  = 24 %).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis showed that the addition of local steroid injection at the time of dilation for benign anastomotic strictures led to a significant decrease in the number of procedures required to resolve the stricture and may well reduce dysphagia symptoms during follow-up.

A prospective randomized controlled trial of omeprazole for preventing esophageal stricture in grade 2b and 3a corrosive esophageal injuries

OBJECTIVES

Esophageal stricture is a significant complication of grade 2b and 3a esophageal injuries and causes much patient suffering. Preventing strictures would be beneficial to patients but there are currently no proven effective drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of omeprazole for preventing esophageal stricture in adults with grade 2b and 3a corrosive esophageal injuries.

METHODS

This study was an open single-center prospective randomized controlled trial that took place from April 2018 to January 2020. Patients were randomized to standard treatment or 80 mg/day intravenously × 3 days followed by 40 mg/day orally for 4 weeks. They were endoscoped at baseline and 4 weeks post discharge. Strictures were confirmed radiologically.

RESULTS

20 patients were enrolled: 15 with grade 2b and five with grade 3a injuries. Standard care and omeprazole groups numbered 10 each. At 1 month, seven and two patients developed strictures in the standard and omeprazole groups, respectively, p = 0.024, for a risk reduction of 71.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Omeprazole reduced the risk of short-term developing esophageal strictures following grade 2b and 3a corrosive esophageal injuries. Larger studies are needed to reconfirm this finding. Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR) number TCTR20190504001.

Endoscopic incision for treatment of benign gastrointestinal strictures

INTRODUCTION

Benign gastrointestinal strictures are common, and can be congenital or acquired (anastomotic, corrosive, induced by Crohn's disease or endoscopic treatments, etc.). Patients usually present with stricture-related symptoms such as vomiting, dysphagia, dyschezia, abdominal pain, which impair their quality of life. Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) is the first-line treatment for most of the benign strictures; however, long-term efficacy is suboptimal, and the recurrence rate can be up to 38%. Endoscopic incision (EI) was firstly reported for treatment of congenital membranous stricture, and then applied to other benign gastrointestinal strictures.

AREA COVERED

In the present review, we provided a comprehensive review of EI for the treatment of benign gastrointestinal strictures, mainly focus on the technical details, indication, safety, and efficacy of EI. The present review is expected to provide tips for operators who are going to perform EI.

EXPERT OPINION

EI can serve as an alternative method for treatment of gastrointestinal strictures, the best indications are congenital membranous stricture and short-segmental (<1 cm) anastomotic strictures refractory to EBD. EI may also be attempted for strictures induced by other reasons. Combination with other endoscopic methods such as EBD, local steroid injection, stent placement, may improve the efficacy of EI.

Intralesional Steroid Injection Therapy for Esophageal Anastomotic Stricture Following Esophageal Atresia Repair

OBJECTIVES

The role of intralesional steroid injection (ISI) in the treatment of anastomotic stricture in patients with esophageal atresia remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ISI.

METHODS

A total of 158 patients with esophageal atresia with at least 1 ISI for the treatment of esophageal anastomotic stricture between 2010 and 2017 were identified. The change in stricture diameter (ΔD) was compared between procedures with dilation alone (ISI-) and dilation with steroid injection (ISI+).

RESULTS

A total of 1055 balloon dilations were performed (452 ISI+). The median ΔD was significantly greater in the ISI+ group: 1 mm (interquartile range [IQR] 0, 3) versus 0 mm (IQR -1, 1.5) (P < 0.0001). The ISI+ group had greater percentage of improved diameter (P < 0.0001) and lesser percentages of unchanged and decreased diameters at subsequent endoscopy (P = 0.0009, P = 0.003). Multivariable logistic regression confirmed the significance of ISI on increasing the likelihood of improved stricture diameter with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.24 (95% confidence interval: 2.15-4.88) (P < 0.001). The ΔD for the first 3 ISI+ procedures was greater than the ΔD for subsequent ISI+ procedures: 1 mm (IQR 0, 3) versus 0.5 mm (IQR-1.25, 2) (P = 0.001). There was no difference in perforation incidence between ISI+ and ISI- groups (P = 0.82).

CONCLUSIONS

ISI with dilation was well tolerated and improved anastomotic stricture diameter more than dilation alone. The benefit of ISI over dilation alone was limited to the first 3 ISI procedures.

Esophageal Dysphagia in the Elderly

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With a globally aging population, dysphagia is a growing health concern among elderly. Increasing reflux disease has contributed to an increased prevalence of dysphagia from peptic strictures and esophageal cancer. Dysphagia can lead to malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia, causing considerable morbidity and mortality. This review article focuses on recent advances in the approach and management of esophageal dysphagia.

RECENT FINDINGS

Endoscopic functional luminal imaging probe is a novel test that complements upper endoscopy, esophagram, and esophageal manometry for evaluation of esophageal dysphagia. Opioid induced esophageal dysfunction (OIED) is an emerging clinical entity that can mimic achalasia. Strictures refractory to dilation can be treated with intralesional steroid injections, electrosurgical incision, or esophageal stents. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is gaining in popularity for treatment of achalasia and other spastic disorders of esophagus. Treatment of esophageal dysphagia may include proton pump inhibitors, endoscopic dilation, or surgery and requires a personalized approach based on risks and benefits. POEM is a valuable therapy for achalasia, but further studies are needed to evaluate its use, and other alternatives, for treatment of OIED and spastic esophageal disorders.

Endoscopic management of refractory benign oesophageal strictures

Refractory benign oesophageal strictures are an infrequent presentation but a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. The treatment of these strictures has changed little in recent years, yet new evidence is emerging for the optimal timing and application of different therapies. In this article, we have carefully reviewed the current literature on the evaluation and management of refractory strictures and provided practical advice as to their management. A number of areas require attention in future research, including carefully designed randomised trials of endoscopic and medical therapies, and a focus on risk factors at a patient and molecular level to facilitate development of medical therapies that can reduce recurrent fibrosis in these patients.

Management of benign oesophageal strictures

Benign oesophageal strictures are an important gastrointestinal condition that can cause substantial morbidity. There are many different aetiologies and each case needs careful evaluation and individualised treatment. Management usually involves targeting therapy to the underlying cause, but oesophageal dilatation is an important part of the algorithm. The recent British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines provide advice on the use of dilatation for benign strictures and cover patient preparation, the dilatation procedure and disease-specific considerations. This article provides a summary of the key messages from the guidelines and applies them to routine clinical practice. It also includes practical advice on the clinical assessment, investigation and management of benign oesophageal strictures and gives an approach to the management of refractory strictures. Areas where evidence is sparse and further research is needed are highlighted.