Acquired Oesophageal Strictures

Abstract

Oesophageal stricture is a moderately common condition and has a very varied aetiology. In Scandinavia such strictures are frequently seen in the upper part of the oesophagus as a feature of the deficiency disease Plummer-Vinson syndrome. Frequently the strictures are seen as a sequel of specific and nonspecific inflammations, or following the presence of a foreign body which has remained in the oesophagus for some time. A common cause of stricture formation is regurgitation or reflux of acid peptic juice or duodenal secretions with resulting oesophagitis, such as may happen in the postoperative period following operations on the cardiae orifice, in cases of so called sliding hernia, following prolonged intubation of the oesophagus, or after inadequate surgery in the cardiac region. The later stages of achalasia may also lead eventually to oesophagitis and stricture. Operations for the relief of congenital atresia of the oesophagus, a rather rare condition, frequently result in stricture formation postoperatively. Similarly, radiation therapy for oesophageal cancer commonly gives rise to strictures. A special group consists of those cases occurring after the oesophagus has been exposed to corrosive substances. Corrosive strictures and the prevention of these are being discussed.

The aforementioned conditions will be dealt with from the various viewpoints which can be of interest in this context.