[Wallstent endoprostheses implanted by fluoroscopic guidance in the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal obstructions and esophago-tracheal fistulas].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to present our experience with metallic stents (Wallstent) for palliation of dysphagia due to malignant esophageal obstruction and esophagotracheal fistula.


METHODS
From August 1994 to July 1996 20 uncovered and 6 covered stents were inserted in 16 consecutive patients with dysphagia grade 3 (n = 4) or grade 4 (n = 12) caused by incurable malignant obstructions. The obstruction was in the proximal (n = 4), in the middle (n = 3) and the distal (n = 9) third of the esophagus. Five patients presented with esophagotracheal fistula. The stent insertion was performed under fluoroscopic control.


RESULTS
Exact positioning of the stent with reduction of the dysphagia was obtained in all patients. There were no complications related with the procedure. Esophagotracheal fistula was solved in those patients treated with covered stents. Six patients had recurrent dysphagia due to tumor ingrowth or overgrowth. In these patients an additional overlapping stent was placed. In latest evaluation 2 patients presented dysphagia grade I, 5 grade III, and 4 grade IV.


CONCLUSIONS
Implantation of stents proved to be an effective and safe method of palliating dysphagia and occluding esofagotracheal fistula. Placement of stents was feasible without major procedure-related complications.
Carreira Villamor
J M
JM
Unidad de Radiología Vascular Intervencionista, Hospital Ntra. Sra. del Pino, Las Palmas, España.
Reyes Pérez
R
R
Górriz Gómez
E
E
Pulido-Duque
J M
JM
Argilés Vives
J M
JM
Pardo Moreno
M D
MD
Maynar Moliner
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D015607:Stents; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000150:complications*
Endoprótesis de Wallstent implantadas bajo control fluoroscópico en el tratamiento paliativo de las obstrucciones esofágicas malignas y fístulas esófago-traqueales.