Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objective
Balloon dilatation of stricture is one of the new treatment methods for patients with
Gastric Outlet Obstruction (GOO). Prevalence and underlying etiologies of GOO in
various populations are different. The goal of the present study was to determine the
effectiveness of endoscopic balloon dilatation and factors that could affect method
advantage among patients with benign etiology for GOO.
Methods
Forty-five patients with symptoms of benign GOO were randomly selected. The mean
age of patients was 43.7±18.1 years and 86.7% of them were men. Gastric outlet was
delineated using double channel videoendoscopy. The severity of gastric pain was
measured by VAS test immediately before and one month after balloon dilatation.
Patients were followed after procedure weekly (for the first month) and then monthly.
Balloon dilatation was repeated for 27% patients during the follow up period.
Results
Patients were followed for 9.9±5.8 months. Furthermore, 71.1% were H. pylori positive.
Positive response percent to endoscopic balloon dilatation was 80% and eight patients
were took under surgical resection. Weight loss was seen frequently in the nonrespondent
group. The pain severity was significantly reduced in respondent subjects.
No meaningful correlations were found between the response to balloon dilatation and
positive H. pylori and cigarette smoking.
Conclusion
Endoscopic balloon dilatation is a safe and effective method for treating most of patients
with benign gastric outlet obstruction and has favorable long-term outcome.