Retrograde Endoscopic Treatment of Completely Obstructed Anastomotic Stricture After Anterior Resection

Ms M is a 38 year female who has a history of severe endometriosis. She underwent resection of pelvic endometriosis, parital cystectomy and an anterior resection and loop ileostomy due to a rectosigmoid stricture. Post operative gastrograffi showed a patent anastomosis. The patient presented electively for closure of the ileostomy three months later. Under general anaesthesia, the patient was examined and it was found that the colorectal anastomosis was completely occluded. This article presents a novel procedure using a colonoscope with a cutting snare, Hegar’s dilators and a Controlled Radial Expansion (CRE) balloon to reopen the lumen.