In the technique for balloon dilation, when should the balloon be deflated?

The correct timing for balloon deflation during balloon dilation is crucial for achieving the best outcome. Deflating the balloon as soon as the narrow waist of the stricture vanishes is the optimal choice because this indicates that the stricture has been successfully dilated.

By deflating the balloon at this stage, you minimize the risk of potential damage to the surrounding tissues. Prolonged inflation after the stricture has been adequately dilated can lead to complications such as perforation or excessive trauma to the tissue.

Immediate deflation after insertion does not allow for adequate dilation, while deflating after a fixed time frame, such as 1 or 2 minutes, may not correlate with the actual response of the stricture. Each stricture can respond differently, and timing should be based on the observed dilation rather than arbitrary time limits.