Cure8 research brief
Short strictures are a common Crohn’s complication. This randomized trial found endoscopic stricturotomy reduced 1-year recurrence and need for repeat procedures compared with balloon dilation, which could affect treatment choices for eligible patients at experienced centers.
Adults with Crohn’s disease and short, endoscopically accessible strictures; gastroenterologists/endoscopists; IBD clinicians.
This randomized trial compared endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) with endoscopic stricturotomy (ES) for short (<3 cm) symptomatic Crohn’s strictures reachable by standard endoscopy. At 1 year, ES had lower clinical recurrence and fewer reinterventions, emergency visits, and hospitalizations than EBD; surgery rates were not significantly different.
Adverse event rates were similar between groups. The trial was randomized and followed patients for 12 months. The study supports ES as a promising endoscopic option at experienced centers, but the authors note results should be validated in larger multicenter studies.
Findings come from a single randomized trial with 12-month follow-up and were performed in centers with ES expertise; broader validation is needed before changing widespread practice.
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