Factors affecting the success of endoscopic bougia dilatation of radiation-induced esophageal stricture.

AIMS: The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess clinical outcomes of endoscopic bougie dilation of esophageal strictures after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, and to assess the risk factors which affect the treatment success.

METHODS: Thirty-one patients with esophageal stricture due to radiation therapy were treated with endoscopic bougie dilation. The following parameters were evaluated; age, gender, primary site of the tumor, initial treatment of the tumor, prescribed dose of radiation, the time to onset of esophageal stricture after radiation therapy, grade of esophageal stricture according to clinical and endoscopic findings, number of dilatations, recurrence of esophageal stricture, and the result of the therapy.

RESULTS: The average follow-up was 26 months with a range of 1-84 months. Successful endoscopic bougie dilation was achieved in 26 of 31 patients. The median time to onset of esophageal stricture after radiation therapy was significantly shorter in patients who did not respond to endoscopic bougie dilation.

CONCLUSION: Endoscopic bougie dilation is a safe and effective procedure for the management of radiation-induced esophageal stricture. Time to onset of esophageal stricture is the most important factor for the treatment success. In addition, the total prescribed dosage of radiation has minimal effects on the result of endoscopic bougie dilation.