Is endoscopic balloon dilatation and oral iron preparation treatment adequate in the treatment of Plummer-Vinson syndrome?

INTRODUCTION: The main objective of this study is to present 10 Plummer-Vinson Syndrome cases treated and followed up at our clinic alongside cases in current literature.
METHODS: The cases of 10 patients with prospective records of Plummer-Vinson Syndrome treated and followed up in the Gastroenterological Surgery Clinic of the hospital were evaluated.
RESULTS: Seven (70%) of the patients were female, and three (30%) were male, with a mean age of 45±18. All the patients had a mean hemoglobin value of 8.4±0.94 g/dL and a mean erythrocyte volume level of 63±5.01 fL, and their ferritin levels were 6.5±5.42 ng/dL, which accounted for iron deficiency in the patients. With barium swallow studies before endoscopy, all patients were shown to have esophageal webs. All patients underwent endoscopic balloon dilatation under sedoanalgesia. Three cases of recurrence were observed, and those patients underwent the balloon dilatation process again. Squamous cell carcinoma in the distal esophagus was detected in one case in the 72nd month of follow-up.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Endoscopic balloon dilatation together with oral iron replacement is a safe, simple, and efficient mode of treatment. As Plummer-Vinson Syndrome is regarded as a precancerous condition, endoscopic follow-up is required for subsequent treatment.