Table 3.

Practical considerations

Predictors favoring successful dilation[11,22-25]	Symptomatic predominantly fibrotic stricture
	Short (≤ 5 cm) stricture
	Single straight stricture
	Stricture distal to the duodenum
	Anastomotic stricture more favorable than de novo stricture
	First dilation
	Lack of a superimposed process contributing to symptoms (e.g., SIBO or IBS)
Risk factors for complications[22-25]	Predominantly inflammatory stricture without medical optimization
	Stricture greater than 5 cm
	Multiple small bowel strictures
	Strictures caused by extrinsic compression (e.g., adhesions)
	Fistulization within 5 cm of the area to be dilated
	Adjacent perforation or intra-abdominal collection
	Complete small bowel obstruction
	Tortuous or tethered small bowel or significant stricture angulation
	Duodenal stricture
1Short term outcome[15,18]	85%-95% (technical success), 70%-80% (clinical response)
2Long term outcome[15,18]	32% (year 1 post dilation), 80% (year 5 post dilation)
3Complication rate[25,45]	1%-4%

¹Short term outcome refers to the time elapsed immediately after the dilation takes place; technical success refers to the ability to successfully complete the dilation; clinical response refers to the symptomatic improvement of the patient immediately following the dilation;

²Long term outcome refers to the percentage of patients requiring a repeat intervention;

³Complication rate encompasses only major complications requiring urgent intervention such as bleeding, perforation and infection.