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Original Article
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Korean J Intern Med. 2026;41(3):462-473. Published online May 1, 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2023.525
- Comparison of the efficacy and safety of endoscopic and fluoroscopic balloon dilatation in benign esophageal strictures
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Kwangbeom Park1, Chang Hoon Oh2, Do Hoon Kim3
, Ji Hoon Shin4
, Hee Kyong Na3, Ji Yong Ahn3, Jeong Hoon Lee3, Kee Wook Jung3, Kee Don Choi3, Ho June Song3, Gin Hyug Lee3, Hwoon-Yong Jung3
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1Department of Internal Medicine, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University, Seoul, Korea
2Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
3Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul; 4Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Corresponding author: Do Hoon Kim ,Tel: +82-2-3010-3193, Fax: +82-2-476-0824, Email: dohoon.md@gmail.com
Ji Hoon Shin ,Tel: +82-2-3010-4380, Fax: +82-2-476-0090, Email: jhshin@amc.seoul.kr
- Received: November 29, 2023; Revised: August 25, 2025 Accepted: February 8, 2026.
- Abstract
- Background/Aims
Balloon dilatation under endoscopic or fluoroscopic guidance is regarded as the gold standard for treating benign esophageal strictures. However, no prior studies have compared endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) with fluoroscopic balloon dilatation (FBD). We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of the two methods.
Methods
Subjects who underwent balloon dilatation under endoscopic or fluoroscopic guidance for benign esophageal strictures between 2001 and 2018 were eligible. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and clinical characteristics were investigated.
Results
From 201 patients, 60 patients underwent EBD, and the remaining 141 underwent FBD. The mean age was higher in the FBD group than in the EBD group (69.77 vs. 58.63 yr, p < 0.001). The most frequent etiology of the strictures was surgery in both groups. Longer procedure times, cervical esophageal location, and short stricture length were significantly associated with the FBD group. Multivariable analysis showed that old age (HR 1.028), higher dysphagia grade (HR 1.561 for grade II and HR 3.518 for grade III), and long stricture length (HR 1.943) were significantly associated with the short dilatation-free period. There were no significant differences in dilatation-free periods or adverse events between the groups.
Conclusions
Both EBD and FBD are safe and effective primary treatment modalities for treating benign esophageal strictures. Choosing an appropriate method depending on the location and length of the stricture and the institution’s capacity and resources would produce more effective results.
Keywords :Esophagus; Esophageal stenosis; Dilatation
