Short- and Long-Term Outcome of Balloon Dilatation of Benign Biliary Strictures

The rate of benign biliary strictures has increased in recent years.
We studied the short- and long-term efficacy of biliary balloon dilatation in patients suffering from benign biliary strictures due to prior abdominal surgeries, such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy or liver transplantation.
Patients and An initial baseline biochemistry profile and ultrasound examination of the biliary system was done before each procedure, and 3 and 6 month follow-up sessions were completed after the completion of the biliary balloon dilatation procedure. Serum bilirubin, liver enzyme levels, and ultrasonography findings were investigated during every session.
Twenty four patients, 17 females (70.8%) and 7 males (29.2%), were included in this study. In 21 (88%) of the patients, the biliary stricture was developed after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, while in 2 (8%) it was a complication of a liver transplantation. The remaining patients (4%) developed it after autoimmune pancreatitis (Whipple surgery).
Among the 24 patients, 2 died within 2 months after the ballooning, mainly due to complications of their previous surgery and secondary liver cirrhosis. We found a significant decrease in serum bilirubin levels after balloon dilatation (P Serum bilirubin levels were significantly decreased after balloon dilatation. This procedure has led to a success rate of 95% in the short term and 91% in the long term.