Retrospective study compares efficacy of stricturotomy and balloon dilation in Crohn's disease strictures, suggesting superior outcomes for stricturotomy.
Background Research data on balloon-assisted enteroscopy-guided stricturotomy (BAE-ES) versus endoscopic balloon dilation (BAE-EBD) for the treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD)-related deep small intestinal strictures is limited. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of BAE-ES versus BAE-EBD in treating CD-related deep small intestinal strictures. Methods This retrospective study included patients with CD-related deep small intestinal strictures who underwent either BAE-ES or BAE-EBD treatment between May 2021 and June 2025. Outcome measures included technical success, adverse events, and follow-up outcomes. Results A total of 100 CD patients underwent treatment (BAE-ES: n = 59; BAE-EBD: n = 41). BAE-ES: 73 BAE-ES procedures were performed on 59 patients. The technical success rate was 98.63% (72/73). Immediate bleeding occurred at 15 stricture sites (20.55%) in 15 patients (25.42%). BAE-EBD: 44 BAE-EBD procedures were performed on 41 patients. The technical success rate was 88.64% (39/44). Immediate bleeding occurred at 21 stricture sites (47.73%) in 21 patients (51.22%). Follow-up: BAE-ES: No cases of bleeding or perforation occurred during follow-up. 1 patient (1.69%) underwent partial small intestinal resection. Stricture recurrence requiring endoscopic re-intervention occurred at 2 sites (2.74%) in 1 patient. BAE-EBD: Bleeding occurred in 2 patients during follow-up; no perforations occurred. Four patients (9.76%) underwent partial small intestinal resection. Stricture recurrence requiring endoscopic re-intervention occurred at 6 sites (13.64%) in 6 patients; the treatment strategy was changed to BAE-ES, which achieved technical success. Conclusion BAE-ES demonstrates a higher technical success rate and favorable efficacy and safety profile for treating CD-related deep small intestinal strictures, warranting broader clinical application. References: [1] Swaminath A, Lichtiger S . Dilation of colonic strictures by intralesional injection of infliximab in patients with Crohn′s colitis. Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2008,14(2):213-216. [2] Pal P, Reddy DN, Rao GV. Endoscopic Assessment of Postoperative Recurrence in Crohn’s Disease: Evolving Concepts. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2025, 35(1):121-140. [3] Shen B, Kochhar G, Navaneethan U, et al. Practical guidelines on endoscopic treatment for Crohn’s disease strictures: a consensus statement from the Global Interventional Inflammatory Bowel Disease Group. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2020, 5 (4), 393-405. [4] Bettenworth D, Baker ME, Fletcher JG,et al; Stenosis Therapy Anti-Fibrotic Research (STAR) Consortium. A global consensus on the definitions, diagnosis and management of fibrostenosing small bowel Crohn’s disease in clinical practice. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024, 21(8):572-584. Conflict of interest: Mr. Liu, Zhongcheng: No conflict of interest Guo, Qin: No conflict of interest
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