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Long-Term Recurrence Rates Following Dilation of Symptomatic Schatzki Rings

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Abstract

Background and Aims

This study investigated the long-term clinical course of patients with Schatzki rings, who were treated by single bougie dilation. Furthermore, it analyzed possible predictors for the time of recurrence.

Patients and Methods

A total of 133 patients (100 males, 33 females) with a mean age of 57 ± 14.6 years who were treated by single dilation with the use of Maloney bougies without the aid of fluoroscopy were prospectively registered and followed-up for a mean duration of 58.3 months (range 12–240 months). Duration of remission was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier estimates with regard to recurrence. Log-rank test was performed to analyze possible predictors for the time to second dilation (recurrence).

Results

No complications occurred and all patients were symptom-free at the first follow-up examination 4 weeks after dilation. However, later on, 73 patients required a second dilation. The estimate remission rates were 63.8% (95% CI: 55.6–72.0%) after 2 years, 44.3% (95% CI: 35.4–53.4%) after 5 years, and 39.9% (95% CI: 30.5–49.3%) after 10 years. Neither the initial morphological findings, nor age or gender determined the need for repeated dilation. Only patients treated with a large bougie diameter (≥52 F) seemed to have a tendency for a longer time until symptomatic recurrence.

Conclusions

Single dilation of symptomatic Schatzki rings is a safe and effective therapy. However, more than half of the patients will need a second treatment. Recurrences are unrelated to initial morphological findings, age, or gender. Only the treatment with a large bougie diameter (≥52 F) showed a tendency for a longer time of remission.

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Conflict of interest

The authors of this article have no commercial associations that might be a conflict of interest in relation to this investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Deutsche Klinik für Diagnostik, Aukammallee 33, 65191, Wiesbaden, Germany

    Michaela Müller & Volker F. Eckardt

  2. Department of General and Abdominal Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany

    Ines Gockel

  3. Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany

    Jochem König & Kathrin Kuhr

Authors
  1. Michaela Müller
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  2. Ines Gockel
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  3. Jochem König
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  4. Kathrin Kuhr
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  5. Volker F. Eckardt
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Correspondence to Michaela Müller.

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Müller, M., Gockel, I., König, J. et al. Long-Term Recurrence Rates Following Dilation of Symptomatic Schatzki Rings. Dig Dis Sci 56, 1432–1437 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-010-1427-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-010-1427-7

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