During the period 1979-88, 129 patients (49 women and 89 men) were dilated for oesophageal strictures. The total number of dilatations was 811. The main causes were gastro-oesophageal reflux (54 patients), achalasia (17 patients) and malignant stenosis (27 patients). Almost all strictures were successfully dilated, but with short duration of effect in the malignant group. During the ten-year period, the method of dilatation has changed from almost exclusively Eder-Puestow dilators to balloon dilators. Four perforations of the oesophagus were experienced with the use of Eder-Puestow dilators (448 dilatations), whereas no perforations were experienced with the use of balloon dilatation (363 dilatations). The article presents a follow-up study of 37 available patients from the 54 with gastro-oesophageal reflux. It is concluded that endoscopic dilatation is a safe and efficient treatment for oesophageal strictures.