Hirdes MMC, van Hooft JE, Koornstra JJ, Timmer R, Leenders M, Weersma RK, Weusten BLAM, van Hillegersberg R, van Berge Henegouwen MI, Plukker JTM, Wiezer R, Bergman JGHM, Vleggaar FP, Fockens P, Siersema PD. Endoscopic corticosteroid injections do not reduce dysphagia after endoscopic dilation therapy in patients with benign esophagogastric anastomotic strictures.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013;
11:795-801.e1. [PMID:
23376318 DOI:
10.1016/j.cgh.2013.01.016]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Revised: 12/09/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Benign anastomotic strictures are often difficult to treat. We assessed the efficacy of adding corticosteroid injections to endoscopic dilation therapy with Savary bougienage.
METHODS
In a multicenter, double-blind trial, 60 patients (mean age, 63 ± 9 years; 78% male) with an untreated cervical anastomotic stricture after esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction and dysphagia for at least solid food were randomly assigned to groups given 4 quadrant injections of 0.5 mL triamcinolone (40 mg/mL, n = 29) or saline (controls, n = 31) into the stricture, followed by Savary dilation to 16 mm. Dysphagia, complications, and quality of life were assessed after 1 and 2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months. The primary end point was a dysphagia-free period of 6 months.
RESULTS
In the corticosteroid group, 45% of the patients remained dysphagia-free for 6 months, compared with 36% of controls (relative risk, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-2.36; P = .46). Median time to repeat dilation was 108 days (range, 15-180 days) in the corticosteroid group vs 42 days (range, 17-180 days) for controls (P = .11). A median number of 2 dilations (range, 1-7) was performed in the corticosteroid group vs 3 dilations (range, 1-9) in controls (relative risk, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-1.38; P = .36). Two major intervention-related complications occurred, 1 submucosal laceration in the corticosteroid group and 1 hemorrhage in the control group. Four patients in the corticosteroid group, but none of the controls, developed Candida esophagitis (P = .03).
CONCLUSIONS
Corticosteroid injections do not provide a statistically significant decrease in frequency of repeat dilations or prolongation of the dysphagia-free period in patients with benign anastomotic esophagogastric strictures. Dutch Trial Registration Number 2236.
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