short- and long-term outcome of balloon dilatation of benign biliary strictures

Background: the rate of benign biliary strictures has increased in recent years. objectives: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 methods: 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. results: 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 < 0.0001). all the patients showed normal ultrasonography findings after the procedure, and all reported complete relief of symptoms after a 6-month period. conclusion: 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.