Background: Through-the-scope balloon dilation has been used for treatment of benign pyloric stenosis; however, long-term results are lacking in the literature.

Method: A retrospective analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results: Between November 1986 and December 1993, 54 patients underwent through-the-scope balloon dilations for pyloric stenosis. The mean age was 57.5 years. There were 5 (9.3%) initial treatment failures due to tight stenoses and perforations from dilation occurred in 4 (7.4%) patients. Forty-five (83.3%) patients underwent successful dilation. Four patients developed rapid restenoses and were found to have malignant obstructions. Forty-one patients entered our study. Time at risk commenced on the date of initial dilation. The end point was defined at the time at which patients presented with recurrent obstruction or other ulcer complications. The median follow-up period was 39 months. The ulcer complication-free probability at 3 months, and at 1, 2, and 3 years was 79.1%, 73.4%, 69.3%, and 54.7%, respectively. In all, 21 (51.2%) patients required subsequent surgery: 18 for recurrent obstructions, 2 for interval perforations, and 1 for bleeding.

Conclusion: While through-the-scope balloon dilation may palliate symptoms of obstruction, recurrent obstruction and other ulcer complications are common. It should be reserved only for patients at high risk for operative surgery. (Gastrointest Endosc 1996;43:98-101.)