Abstract:Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic dilatation in treatment of esophageal stenosis after esophageal varices sclerotherapy.Methods Clinical data of 17 patients with esophageal stenosis after sclerotherapy for esophageal varices from January 2014 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into balloon expansion group and bougie expansion group. The remission rate and recurrence rate of esophageal stenosis after endoscopic dilation were analyzed, as well as the incidence of intraoperative complications such as intraoperative bleeding, perforation, infection and chest pain.Results 50 endoscopic dilation treatments were performed in 17 patients. The stenosis remission rate after the first dilation was 76.47%, and the recurrence rate was 53.85%. The total number of dilation required for complete remission of esophageal stenosis ranged from 1 to 15 times, and the median required dilation was 2 times, and 35.29% (6/17) only needed 1 dilation to complete remission. Intraoperative laceration bleeding occurred in 4.00% (2/50) requiring endoscopic hemostasis. Fever occurred in 6.00% (3/50), chest pain occurred in 2.00% (1/50), and no other complications such as perforation and mediastinal infection occurred. The relief rate of balloon dilatation was higher than that of bougiate dilatation, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in recurrence rate and complication rate between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion Endoscopic dilatation is generally safe and effective in the treatment of esophageal stenosis after sclerotherapy for esophageal varices, and balloon dilatation is superior to bougiate dilatation in the relief of stenosis.