Abstract:Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of self-help inflatable balloon in the treatment of refractory benign upper digestive tract stricture.Methods From November 2022 to February 2024, 10 patients with refractory benign upper digestive tract stricture underwent self-help inflatable balloon were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative treatment, intraoperative and postoperative complications, dysphagia score before and after surgery, wearing time of external self-help inflatable balloon, and the clinical efficacy were evaluated.Results All the 10 patients received self-help inflatable balloon treatment. No complications such as bleeding and perforation occurred in all patients during the wearing of the balloon. The placement time of the balloon was 60 ~ 180 d, and the average wearing time was 104.9 d. Before surgery, nine cases had a stricture segment length less than 2 cm , and one case had a stricture segment length of 6 cm. The dysphagia score before surgery was (3.60 ± 0.52), and the dysphagia score after removal of the self-help inflatable balloon was (0.60 ± 0.52), and there was statistical significance in preoperative and postoperative comparison (P < 0.05). The dysphagia score 3 months after removal of the external self-help inflatable balloon was (0.70 ± 0.48), there was no significant difference in dysphagia score between the day after surgery and 3 months after surgery (P > 0.05). The diameter of the stricture before and after operation was (5.09 ± 2.02) mm and (10.35 ± 0.73) mm respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Sore throat, wing of nose pain and balloon displacement were the most common adverse events, with 30.0% (3/10), 50.0% (5/10) and 70.0% (7/10),respectively.Conclusion It is safe, effective and feasible to treat refractory benign upper digestive tract stricture with self-help inflatable balloon in vitro. It is worthy for clinical application.