Endoscopic dilation of late stomal stenosis. Its use following gastric surgery for morbid obesity.

We have observed 16 cases of stomal stenosis occurring late after gastric surgery for morbid obesity. In one patient no stoma was apparent in the pouch on radiographic or endoscopic examination and reoperation was required for complete obstruction. We dilated stenoses in the remaining 15 patients. Stenosis in the three earliest patients in our series were dilated with Eder-Puestow dilators. All subsequent patients have received endoscopic dilation with pneumatic balloon catheters. Ten patients remain asymptomatic following dilation. Two patients have occasional vomiting, which is ameliorated by metoclopramide hydrochloride, despite a sufficiently patent stoma. Two patients with a torsion of the stoma received no benefit from dilation, and one patient with a sufficiently patent stoma has experienced frequent vomiting. Surgery has been repeated in the latter three patients. The technique of endoscopic pneumatic balloon catheter dilation is a safe and effective means of dilating stomal stenoses occurring late after gastric surgery for morbid obesity.