Endoscopic dilatation has surpassed the previous 'blind' technique of passing a mercury-filled bougie through the oesophageal stricture. The stricture is still mechanically widened, but an endoscope is used to pass a flexible guidewire through the stricture. Over the guidewire is passed either bougies - hollow-core dilators - or a dilating balloon.
Two or three dilatations are performed at each visit - the 'Rule of threes' is followed. Most patients require only one such visit; men are more likely to require extra dilatations.
Perforation is a rare complication of passing the guidewire or the bougie. Very rarely, a 'false passage' may be produced.
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