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Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey Jul 2004This article reviews safety, efficacy, and complications of intracervical osmotic devices and discusses diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative measures for managing... (Review)
Review
This article reviews safety, efficacy, and complications of intracervical osmotic devices and discusses diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative measures for managing them. Osmotic dilators have been used to ripen the cervix in gynecologic and obstetric procedures for centuries. Their gradual effect in softening and dilating the cervix reduces the chance of stretch injury or perforation and could enhance completeness of evacuation of the uterine cavity. Natural and synthetic devices are available, each with unique properties. Notwithstanding major advances in prostaglandin analogs as cervical ripeners, these mechanical devices continue to play a vital role in cervical preparation. In the event of an unfavorable cervix, they are adjuncts for accelerating inductions of labor and for safe uterine entry during hysteroscopy and diagnostic dilation and curettage. For inducing pregnancy, they are routinely used as cervical ripeners from the late first trimester onward. The English-language literature was surveyed. The author used citations from a MEDLINE search, 2 unpublished case reports, and personal experience. Laminaria and Dilapan dilators can get trapped and fragment with the potential for serious adverse clinical and legal consequences. Lamicel devices do not share this feature. Serious infection is uncommon and anaphylaxis is rare. Timely, well-selected imaging techniques can aid diagnosis. Preventative measures could reduce the number and severity of osmotic dilator-associated complications. Measures suggested by some include predilating with metal dilators, incorporating laminaria or Lamicel devices with Dilapan, adding misoprostol, and using sonohysterography. However, these measures, singly and in combination, are unlikely to eliminate all complications.
Topics: Abortion, Induced; Adult; Anaphylaxis; Catheterization; Cervix Uteri; Device Removal; Dilatation; Equipment Safety; Female; Gynecology; Humans; Infections; Laminaria; Malpractice; Obstetrics; Osmosis; Polymers; Pregnancy; Treatment Outcome; United States
PubMed: 15199271
DOI: 10.1097/00006254-200407000-00022 -
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology Aug 2002Esophageal strictures from a variety of benign and malignant causes require dilation therapy when patients develop symptoms of dysphagia. Dilation can be accomplished... (Review)
Review
Esophageal strictures from a variety of benign and malignant causes require dilation therapy when patients develop symptoms of dysphagia. Dilation can be accomplished using a variety of dilating devices and adjunctive techniques. The approach to management of esophageal strictures is reviewed with a focus on dilation technique and special considerations for various stricture types.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Dilatation; Esophageal Stenosis; Esophagoscopy; Humans; Injections, Intralesional
PubMed: 12172355
DOI: 10.1097/00004836-200208000-00001 -
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Oct 2013Oesophageal dilation is one of the most effective options in the management of symptoms of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE). However, earlier reports described an... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Oesophageal dilation is one of the most effective options in the management of symptoms of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE). However, earlier reports described an increased rate of complications.
AIM
To perform a meta-analysis of population-based studies of the risks associated with dilation and the clinical efficacy and duration of response to dilation in EoE.
METHODS
Using MEDLINE and EMBASE, a systematic search was performed for published articles since 1977 describing cohort or randomised controlled trials of dilation in EoE. Summary estimates, including 95% confidence interval (CI), were calculated for the occurrence of complications associated with dilations (perforations, haemorrhage, chest pain, lacerations) and percentage of patients with symptom improvement following dilation. Heterogeneity was calculated using the I² statistic.
RESULTS
The search resulted in 232 references, of which 9 studies were included in the final analysis. The studies described 860 EoE patients, of whom 525 patients underwent at least one oesophageal dilation and a total of 992 dilations. There were three cases of perforation (95% CI 0-0.9%, I² 0%) and one haemorrhage (95% CI 0-0.8%, I² 0%). Six studies reported postprocedural chest pain in 2% of cases (95% CI 1-3, I² 53%). Clinical improvement from dilation occurred in 75% of patients (95% CI 58-93%, I² 86%).
CONCLUSIONS
Dilation in patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis is a safe procedure with a low rate of serious complications (<1%), and seems to result in at least a short-term improvement of symptoms in the majority of patients.
Topics: Chest Pain; Dilatation; Eosinophilic Esophagitis; Humans
PubMed: 23915046
DOI: 10.1111/apt.12438 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2010Many vaginal dilator therapy guidelines advocate routine vaginal dilation during and after pelvic radiotherapy to prevent stenosis (abnormal narrowing of the vagina).... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Many vaginal dilator therapy guidelines advocate routine vaginal dilation during and after pelvic radiotherapy to prevent stenosis (abnormal narrowing of the vagina). The UK Gynaecological Oncology Nurse Forum recommend dilation "three times weekly for an indefinite time period". The UK patient charity Cancer Backup advises using vaginal dilators from two to eight weeks after the end of radiotherapy treatment. Australian guidelines recommend dilation after brachytherapy "as soon as is comfortably possible" and "certainly within four weeks and to continue for three years or indefinitely if possible". However, dilation is intrusive, uses health resources and can be psychologically distressing. It has also caused rare but very serious damage to the rectum.
OBJECTIVES
To review the benefits and harms of vaginal dilation therapy associated with pelvic radiotherapy for cancer.
SEARCH STRATEGY
Searches included the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1950 to 2008), EMBASE (1980 to 2008) and CINAHL (1982 to 2008).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Any comparative randomised controlled trials (RCT) or data of any type which compared dilation or penetration of the vagina after pelvic radiotherapy treatment for cancer.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The review authors independently abstracted data and assessed risk of bias. We analysed the mean difference in sexual function scores and the risk ratio for non-compliance at six weeks and three months in single trial analyses. No trials met the inclusion criteria.
MAIN RESULTS
Dilation during or immediately after radiotherapy can, in rare cases, cause damage and there is no persuasive evidence from any study to demonstrate that it prevents stenosis. Data from one RCT showed no improvement in sexual scores in women who were encouraged to practice dilation. Two case series and one comparative study using historical controls suggest that dilation might be associated with a longer vaginal length but these data cannot reasonably be interpreted to show that dilation caused the change in the vagina.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Routine dilation during or soon after cancer treatment may be harmful. There is no reliable evidence to show that routine regular vaginal dilation during or after radiotherapy prevents the late effects of radiotherapy or improves quality of life. Gentle vaginal exploration might separate the vaginal walls before they can stick together and some women may benefit from dilation therapy once inflammation has settled but there are no good comparative supporting data.
Topics: Constriction, Pathologic; Dilatation; Female; Humans; Pelvis; Radiotherapy; Rupture; Time Factors; Vagina
PubMed: 20824858
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007291.pub2 -
Expert Review of Medical Devices Jan 2015The Vent-Os Sinus Dilation System is an osmotically driven device that provides a means to access the sinus space and to dilate the maxillary sinus ostia and associated... (Review)
Review
The Vent-Os Sinus Dilation System is an osmotically driven device that provides a means to access the sinus space and to dilate the maxillary sinus ostia and associated spaces in adults for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Unlike balloon dilation devices that use rapid, high-pressure inflation, this self-expanding device is designed to gently and gradually open the maxillary ostia. The procedure can be safely and easily completed in-office with minimal anesthetics and analgesics on board. Clinical results support excellent patency and safety outcomes with the use of this product in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.
Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Dilatation; Female; Humans; Male; Nasal Surgical Procedures; Osmosis; Rhinitis; Sinusitis
PubMed: 25467029
DOI: 10.1586/17434440.2015.975116 -
Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology :... 2016In recent years, endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) has been shown to be an effective technique for the removal of... (Review)
Review
In recent years, endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) has been shown to be an effective technique for the removal of large or difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones, as an alternative to EST. Reviewing the literature published since 2003, it is understood that EPLBD has fewer associated overall complications than EST. Bleeding occurred less frequently with EPLBD than with EST. There was no significant difference in postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis or perforation. Recent accumulated results of EPLBD with or even without EST suggest that it is a safe and effective procedure for the removal of large or difficult bile duct stones without any additional risk of severe adverse events, when performed under appropriate guidelines. Since use of a larger balloon can tear the sphincter as well as the bile duct, possibly resulting in bleeding and perforation, a balloon size that is equal to or smaller in diameter than the diameter of the native distal bile duct is recommended. The maximum transverse diameter of the stone and the balloon-stone diameter ratio have a tendency to affect the success or failure of complete removal of stones by large balloon dilation to prevent adverse effects such as perforation and bleeding. One should take into account the size of the native bile duct, the size and burden of stones, the presence of stricture of distal bile duct, and the presence of the papilla in or adjacent to a diverticulum. Even though the results of EPLBD indicate that it is a relatively safe procedure in patients with common duct stones with a dilated CBD, the recommended guidelines should be followed strictly for the prevention of major adverse events such as bleeding and perforation.
Topics: Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; Choledocholithiasis; Dilatation; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 27488319
DOI: 10.4103/1319-3767.187599 -
Digestive and Liver Disease : Official... Apr 2009Among benign oesophageal lesions, caustic strictures are the most difficult to dilate. In low-income countries, children suffering caustic oesophageal injury are...
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS
Among benign oesophageal lesions, caustic strictures are the most difficult to dilate. In low-income countries, children suffering caustic oesophageal injury are frequently referred to the hospitals late, sometimes weeks after ingestion. Therefore, dilatation may be performed late and in highly fibrotic strictures. Reports about endoscopic and clinical outcome of such delayed dilatations are scanty. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of late caustic stricture dilatations in children, comparing it with the results of timely dilatations, both performed at the Hospital of the Italian Non-Governmental Organization "Emergency" at Goderich, Sierra Leone.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
From December 2005 to May 2007, 78 children (<15 years) complaining alkaline caustic ingestion were submitted to oesophageal dilatation, mainly (97%) using Savary dilators. Two groups were identified: children (group 1) with a late treatment (>6 weeks, 37+/-12 weeks), having arrived to the hospital late after ingestion, and children (group 2) dilated timely, i.e. at <6 weeks (4+/-1.4 weeks) after injury.
RESULTS
Strictures were severe in all patients. Twenty-five children were dilated late after injury (6.4 dilatations/patient) with a follow-up of 11+/-2.5 months. A successful clinical outcome was observed in 91.6%. Four perforations (2.6% procedure-related) and one death (4.0%) were observed. Strictures recurred once in 72% of patients, twice in 31.8%. Thirty-one children were dilated timely (4.5 dilatations/patient) with a follow-up of 10+/-2.1 months and a clinical success rate of 96.7%. Procedure-related perforation rate was 0.7% with one death (3.2%). Stricture recurred once in 30% and twice in 3.3%.
CONCLUSIONS
Delayed dilatation of caustic oesophageal strictures in children carries a higher risk of perforation and a higher recurrence rate.
Topics: Burns, Chemical; Child; Child, Preschool; Dilatation; Esophageal Perforation; Esophageal Stenosis; Esophagoscopy; Follow-Up Studies; Gastrostomy; Humans; Severity of Illness Index; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 18801710
DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2008.07.319 -
Medical Science Monitor : International... Jun 2023Cervical ripening is defined as the significant softening of the cervical tissue that usually begins before the onset of contractions during labor, and is required for... (Review)
Review
Cervical ripening is defined as the significant softening of the cervical tissue that usually begins before the onset of contractions during labor, and is required for cervical dilation and delivery. Osmotic dilators are medical implements that dilate the uterine cervix by increasing in size as they absorb fluid from the surrounding tissue. This article aims to review the mechanisms and applications of osmotic dilators for cervical ripening in the induction of labor and in gynecology procedures.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Cervical Ripening; Gynecology; Abortion, Induced; Labor, Induced; Dilatation
PubMed: 37368878
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940127 -
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Jun 1985
Topics: Dilatation; Esophageal Stenosis; Humans
PubMed: 4007446
DOI: 10.1016/s0016-5107(85)72053-6 -
Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent... Aug 2019Vaginal dilator therapy is used to increase vaginal length for vaginal agenesis, to increase vaginal width for vaginal narrowing, and to prevent or treat stenosis after... (Review)
Review
Vaginal dilator therapy is used to increase vaginal length for vaginal agenesis, to increase vaginal width for vaginal narrowing, and to prevent or treat stenosis after vaginal surgery. Although it is an effective therapy, many reproductive health providers have had little training on how to guide patients through this therapy. The purpose of this review is to educate providers on how to assess patient readiness and how to support patients through the process of vaginal dilation.
Topics: Congenital Abnormalities; Dilatation; Female; Gynecology; Humans; Treatment Outcome; Vagina
PubMed: 31091469
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2019.05.002