Comparing Endoscopic Strictureplasty vs. Balloon Dilation in Crohn's Disease Strictures

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

endoscopic stricturoplasty: Experimental Group: In the experimental group, 51 patients underwent endoscopic stricturoplasty. A transparent cap was mounted on the front end of the endoscope, and a needle knife was inserted through the working channel of the endoscope. Under direct visualization, a radial incision was made at the site of the stricture, with an effort to preserve normal mucosal tissue as much as possible. The stricture was gradually incised until the endoscope could smoothly pass through.

endoscopic balloon dilation: Control Group: In the control group, 51 patients underwent endoscopic balloon dilation. The endoscope was advanced to the site of the stricture, and a dilation guidewire was inserted. After placing the balloon, it was progressively inflated with pressure, each inflation lasting 1-2 minutes, and this process was repeated 2-3 times until the endoscope and sheath could pass through the narrowed segment and enter the distal colon.

Study summary

Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic ulcers, strictures, and penetrating lesions in the intestinal tract. In the early stages of the disease, inflammation and ulcers are the primary manifestations. However, as the disease progresses and recurs over the years, even with medication treatment, 30%-50% of patients continue to experience varying degrees of intestinal narrowing, with a percentage of it being irreversible fibrotic strictures.

For CD-associated intestinal fibrotic strictures, drug therapy often yields limited results, and long-term use of biologics may potentially induce or worsen intestinal narrowing. In comparison to medical treatment, surgical intervention offers a more definitive solution for intestinal strictures. However, surgical treatment is invasive and comes with risks of postoperative complications and disease recurrence.

Endoscopic therapy serves as a bridge between medical and surgical treatment options. Key techniques of endoscopic therapy include endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD), endoscopic stricturoplasty (EST), and endoscopic stent placement.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Remission rate of patients — 1 year
  Number of patients who did not require new endoscopic or surgical treatment due to symptom recurrence within one year of follow-up, quantified and reported.

Trial sites (1)

More Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine trials in China

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