Treatment of narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract

Stenosis is an area of narrow passage in the gastrointestinal tract. In the case of long-standing inflammation, after surgeries or complex endoscopic resections can entrench stenosis. Most often the stenosis is caused by inflammation and healing of the mucosa, scar tissue can replace the normal tissue. As a result, this scar tissue can cause a narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract. Occasionally, this stenosis can be so severe that it can cause intestinal obstruction. The most common locations for these stenosis are the ileum (the last part of the small intestine) and the ileocal valve (the entrance from the small intestine to the large intestine), and in the areas of surgical launch. Although stenosis can also be observed in the upper gastrointestinal tract, colon, or rectum.

DEPENDING ON WHERE THE STENOSIS IS LOCATED, PATIENTS WITH STENOSIS CAN HAVE OBSTRUCTION SYMPTOMS THAT INCLUDE NAUSEA AND VOMITING, ABDOMINAL PAIN, BLOATING OR INABILITY TO PASS GAS AND FECES. TO DIAGNOSE STENOSIS, A COLONOSCOPY AND IMAGING SUCH AS CT OR MRI OF THE ABDOMEN CAN BE USED.

For the treatment of stenosis there are medical options including an endoscopic option that includes balloon expansion. The balloon is usually inserted through the endoscope and placed in the declared area. The balloon is then inflated to the required size for stenosis expansion. In some cases, a number of actions are necessary in order to achieve a good clinical result.

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