1.   Although dilatation is the treatment of choice for most patients with benign oesophageal stricutres, there is little information on its efficacy and safety in corrosive oesophageal strictures.

2.   Endoscopic dilatation is safe and effective for short and long term relief of dysphagia in patients with corrosive oesophageal strictures.

3.   Conservative management of benign oesophageal strictures using various dilatory devices is considered safe and effective for both short and long term relief of dysphagia.

4.   The reported experience is mostly in patients with peptic strictures and there is little information on the efficacy and safety of this treatment in patients with corrosive oesophageal strictures.

5.   We have reported that endoscopic dilatation is an effective and safe short term treatment for corrosive oesophageal strictures.

6.   This study clearly shows that dilatation is successful for most patients with corrosive oesophageal strictures in providing short and long term relief of dysphagia.

7.   No compatative study of endoscopic dilatation with surgery in the management of corrosive oesophageal strictures has been reported.

8.   In summary, our study shows that endoscopic dilatation is an effective and safe treatment for short and long term relief of dysphagia in patients with corrosive oesophageal strictures.