Dilatation of benign oesophageal strictures in the outpatient department.

Maloney's mercury weighted dilators have been used to dilate benign oesophageal strictures in 109 patients in the outpatient department. A total of 524 dilatations have been performed. Following dilatation two patients had a small haematemesis but there have been no oesophageal perforations. Maloney's dilators can be used in the outpatient department effectively to dilate benign oesophageal strictures and the risk of complications is low.