Benign gastric outlet obstruction--spectrum and management

Abstract

Intrinsic or extrinsic obstruction of the pyloric channel or duodenum either by benign or malignant diseases leads to gastric outlet obstruction. With improvement in science and technology, the spectrum of gastric outlet obstruction has changed from peptic ulcer disease to corrosives and malignant diseases. Newer investigations like computerized tomography and endoscopy have supplemented the previous clinical tests like saline load test and barium series. Improvised treatment modalities like endoscopic balloon dilatation and endoscopic incision have circumvented the use of surgery which was the gold standard for management of gastric outlet obstruction. Newer modalities like biodegradable stents have an upcoming role in the management.