Alternative Approach in Colorectal Anastomotic Stricture: Bougie Dilatation
Authors: Taşkın Ali Kemal 
Published: December 2023

Dear Editor,
Anostomotic stricture (AS) is seen in 2-30% of patients after colorectal surgery. Various factors such as tissue ischaemia, anastomotic leakage and radiotherapy have been suggested in its pathogenesis [1,2]. Endoscopic methods (balloon dilatation, bougie dilatation, stents, endoscopic electroincision), digital dilatation, surgical methods (stapler stricturoplasty, transanal circular stapler resection, transabdominal redo-anastomosis) and corticosteroids are used in AS [3,4]. Surgery is generally preferred in complete/near complete AS [1]. Stents; the benefit of stents in AS after oncological surgery has not been shown [3]. However, Philip BC Pangg et al. treated near-total AS non-operatively with the colonic/rectal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) anastomosis technique and a hot lumen metallic stent [5]. We applied 3-stage bougie dilation to the patient with near complete anastomotic stricture.
A 59-year-old female patient who underwent laparoscopic anterior resection due to sigmoid colon tumor was followed up with complaints of abdominal swelling, intermittent abdominal pain and difficulty in defecation. One month later, when colonoscopy was performed, near complete anastomotic stricture was observed. Bougie dilatation was performed with maloney flexible bougie dilators under wire guidance. Bougie dilatation was performed 3 times with fifteen days intervals. After the first (33, 36 and 42 F) and the second bougie dilatation (36, 42 F), the upper segment of the anastomotic stricture was reached by gastroscopy. After dilatation with a bougie (42, 45 F) for the third time, the colonoscope was easily passed through the anastomosis line to the upper segment. Six months later, colonoscopy was performed and the proximal part of the anastomosis was easily passed without the use of bougie dilators.
Balloon dilatation is the first method used in AS. However, several repetitions are necessary for the success of the procedure. In addition, the risk of perforation increases when the stricture diameter is <5 mm and length >1 cm. The chances of success in AS are lower compared to bougie dilatation. Endoscopic electroincision is recommended in failure of balloon dilatation. Digital dilatation: used in distal anorectal anostamotic strictures. Corticosteroid application: very large studies are not available. Bougie dilatation in AS provides tactile feedback, allowing the amount of resistance to the passage of the dilator to be estimated and perforation to be avoided. Bougie dilatation method is simple, inexpensive and low risk of complications. Especially Maloney flexible silicone bougie minimise the risk of complications. Bougie dilatators can remain intact for many years and can be reused. But balloon dilatators are not reused. Surgical methods are used in 3-4% (complete/near complete AS) in the failure of endoscopic methods. But mortality risk is high [1,4-6]. Therefore, the alternative method of Philip BC Pang et al. can be applied [5]. However, due to limited endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) centers, gradual dilatation can be performed with flexible bougie dilators in case of anastomosis stricture.
Yours Sincerely