Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The use of a bougie to relieve dysphagia caused by esophageal stricture is guided by the need to adequately dilate the narrowed area. A bougie size of 40 French (F) is often utilized because it strikes a balance between providing sufficient dilation of the stricture while minimizing the risk of perforation or trauma to the esophagus.

When dealing with esophageal strictures, the goal is to restore a more normal lumen diameter, which allows for better passage of food and liquids and alleviates the symptoms of dysphagia. Research and clinical guidelines suggest that a bougie of this size is effective in enlarging the esophageal lumen in a controlled manner, facilitating easier swallowing post-procedure.

Larger sizes may carry a higher risk of complications, such as tearing or perforating the esophageal wall, particularly in patients with more fragile or inflamed tissue. Hence, the 40F bougie is often chosen as a standard size for dilation, aligning well with clinical practice and thus making it the most suitable choice for this scenario.