Reframing self-expandable metal stents for Crohn's strictures

We read with great interest the Article by Loras and colleagues1 evaluating the efficacy and safety of self-expandable metal stents and endoscopic balloon dilation in patients with stricturing Crohn's disease. In this multicentre, randomised control trial, the authors showed that endoscopic balloon dilation is more effective than self-expandable metal stents for treating Crohn's strictures. Compared with self-expandable metal stents, endoscopic balloon dilation showed superior 1 year symptom-free survival (80% vs 51%; hazard ratio 0·32, 95% CI 0·14–0·73), and reduced health-care costs.