Endoscopic dilation of complete oesophageal obstructions with a combined antegrade-retrograde rendezvous technique

Table 3 Technical details and clinical success of endoscopic rendezvous dilation in patients with complete obstruction of the proximal oesophagus

Type of antegrade endoscope
Rigid, flexible	4, 2
Method of retrograde puncture of the obstruction
VisiGlide guidewire	4/6
Argon beamer	1/6
First stricture dilation
With Savary bougie	5/5
Size	median 10 mm (range 6 - 10 mm)
Subsequent dilations before discharge
With balloon	3/5 patients
size range	15-16.5 mm
With bougie	2/5 patients
size range	12-15 mm
Success rate of rendezvous procedures
Technical success	5/6 (83%)
Need for recurrent dilations after discharge	5/5
Swallowing success
Time of follow-up, median (range)	27 mo (2-115)
Need for long-term PEG-tube	3/6
Functional oral intake
Tube dependent with minimal attempts of food or liquid (level 2)	1
Total oral diet with multiple consistencies without special preparation, but with specific food limitations (level 6)	2
Total oral diet with no restrictions (level 7)	1
Complications of rendezvous procedures
Mediastinal emphysema (no surgery needed)	1/6
Death	0/6

FOIS: Functional oral intake scale.