Another predictor of esophageal stricture-free episodes was systemic corticosteroid use (a mean of 25.28 months vs. 10.24 months; P less than .001) around the time of the dilatation procedure. “By using systemic steroids, you’re actually decreasing some of the inflammation associated with the trauma of the procedure decreasing the chances of strictures formation,” she said.
Dr. Pope recommended that future studies evaluate the benefit of periprocedural medical interventions on increasing the intervals between esophageal stricture occurrences.
The study was supported by an unrestricted grant from the Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Foundation. She reported having no financial disclosures.