Comparing Endoscopic Strictureplasty vs. Balloon Dilation in Crohn's Disease Strictures

Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic ulcers, strictures, and penetrating lesions in the intestinal tract. In the early stages of the disease, inflammation and ulcers are the primary manifestations. However, as the disease progresses and recurs over the years, even with medication treatment, 30%-50% of patients continue to experience varying degrees of intestinal narrowing, with a percentage of it being irreversible fibrotic strictures. For CD-associated intestinal fibrotic strictures, drug therapy often yields limited results, and long-term use of biologics may potentially induce or worsen intestinal narrowing. In comparison to medical treatment, surgical intervention offers a more definitive solution for intestinal strictures. However, surgical treatment is invasive and comes with risks of postoperative complications and disease recurrence. Endoscopic therapy serves as a bridge between medical and surgical treatment options. Key techniques of endoscopic therapy include endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD), endoscopic stricturoplasty (EST), and endoscopic stent placement.