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Has anyone ever had strictureplasty? (Balloon dilation)

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Posted 2/4/2009 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
I have a stricture in my sigmoid colon, which doesn't seem to be getting better.  My GI suggested strictureplasty a few months ago.  Has anyone ever had this done?  Is it an out-patient procedure?  Is it painful?  Where you in pain afterwards?  And, the most important question..... Did it help?  I would really like to try this first before surgery.....  Any input would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!  Blessings, Julie :-)
Posted 2/4/2009 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if stricureplasty and balloon dilatation are the same thing, but I have had a dilatation and it is a relatively straightforward procedure that involves the same prep for a colonoscopy. Basically they use the same canula as for a colonoscopy through which they advance the balloon until it reaches the point of the stricture. Then they dilate the balloon several times in an attempt to stretch the stricture. My dilatation bought me another two years, but by the time mine was done the stricture had all but occluded and was in the small bowel.

A strictureplasty actually involves cutting into the wall of the stricture and resuturing it so that it lies in a different direction, thus opening it up wider. You don't lose any bowel and studies suggest that it is usually a good alternative to resection, especially if disease is found in multiple sites.

I think it is still done with a balloon, which is used to identify where the stricture is. I'm not sure what the recovery time is, though I think it might still be done as an outpatient.
Posted 2/4/2009 2:48 PM (GMT 0)

I too have a stricture in my sigmoid colon. I did discuss dilation with a colorectal surgeon last year and in his words, "I currently feel that it would be ill advised to dilate her with these active linear ulcers, but if she were to respond medically, certainly one could consider that." I think the risk being greater of perforation. Colonoscopy in January still shows active Crohn's at the stricture site, plus I had an endorectal ultrasound after that. We have decided on surgery.

Disease is found only at that site and strictureplasty was never given to me as an option.

Good luck and I am interested in your treatment.

Posted 2/4/2009 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Don't have much time to reasearch it this morning but thought stictureplasty was a type of surgery. Thought you might find this helpful. 'There may be only a single short segment of narrowing and the risk of strictureplasty procedure (leak, infection, recurrent obstruction) is not worth the ptential benefit of avoiding a resection, which is generally much easier to perform.'

Posted 2/4/2009 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for the replies and clarifying the differences! My GI is referring to the "balloon procedure," not the one where the stricture is cut.....
Posted 2/4/2009 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
I would definetly do the balloon dilation prior to surgery.

I've got an anal stricture and my gastro. dilates during my annual colonscopy and then every 6 months I get a "sigmoidoscopy" where he does the same thing.

My stricture is pretty bad, but the Versed (sp?) used during the procedure usually does the trick in terms of pain management.  I also receive the Versed for the sig.

Does it help?  Yes, a bit, not completely or I'd wouldn't have to do it every 6 months.  But I'll take having to go in for a simple short out patient procedure every 6 months to surgery.

Angela

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