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Non-vascular hollow organ gastrointestinal intervention

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, St George's Hospital and Medical School, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 OQT, UK

Summary

• Balloon dilatation of benign strictures and metallic stents for malignant strictures produce proven optimal patient benefit, i.e. decreased mortality, decreased morbidity, best patient tolerance, non-hindrance during concurrent treatment.
  
• Bacteraemia produced by dilatation requires antibiotic treatment in high-risk patients.
  
• Endoscopic and percutaneous gastrostomy and gastropexy have low complication rates and high success rates.
  
• Colorectal strictures dilated and stented allow decompression of the bowel, correction of metabolic abnormalities, relief of symptoms and safer surgery.