How I Do It: Retrograde Balloon Pull-Through Technique for Esophageal Stricture Dilation

This article provides an overview of the retrograde balloon pull-through dilation technique for esophageal strictures. Bougie dilation and static through-the-scope static balloon dilation are the most common methods to treat benign esophageal strictures. Retrograde through-the-scope balloon pull through technique provides an alternative that can generate both radial and longitudinal forces and enables dilation of the entire esophageal lumen under real-time visualization with haptic feedback. Retrograde balloon pull-through dilation is a valuable technique for endoscopists to learn, particularly in managing complex strictures, eosinophilic esophagitis and empiric dilation for nonobstructive dysphagia.